Timeline - English Literature

Matilde Giorgetti & ANDREA GIORGI

English Literature

TIMELINEHISTORICAL,CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS

Index

Historical context

Social context

Cultural context

Kings

Tudor Period (1485–1603)

1476

Spread of printed books in England

1485

Le Morte d’Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory

1516

Sir Thomas More writes Utopia

1536-41

Dissolution of the Monasteries

1534

The Act of Supremacy

Mid 16th c.

Beginning of the "Irish Question"

1485

End of The Wars of the Two Roses

Henry VIII

1509

Henry VII

1485

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Tudor Period (1485–1603)

1564

Shakespeare's birth

1543

Scientific Revolution

1549

The Book of Common prayers

1555

The "Bloody Mary" age

Elizabeth I: the Elizabethean Era

1558

1550-60

Literary Silence

Mary I

1553

1559

Elizabethan Religious Settlement

Edward VI

1547

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Tudor Period (1485–1603)

EARLY 17TH C.

Notable theatrrical developments

MID 16TH C.

Elisabeth I patronages the arts

1605

Gunpowder Plot

Construction of "The Globe" theatre

1599

Defeat of the Spanish Armada

1588

Union of crowns with James I

1603

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Stuart Period (1603–1625)

1616

Shakespeare's death

1607

Colonial expansion

MID 17TH C.

Development of Puritanism

1611

King James the Bible

1620

The Mayflower voyage

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PURITANISM

Puritanism developed in the late 16th century within the Church of England, aiming to simplify worship and remove remnants of Catholic practices. Faced with persecution under English rule, some Puritans emigrated to America, where they established communities grounded in religious devotion, discipline, and a strong work ethic. Their beliefs significantly influenced the culture and values of New England, leaving a lasting mark on American society.

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SIR THOMAS MORE WRITES UTOPIA

Sir Thomas More writes Utopia (1516), a landmark work exploring an ideal society. Poets Sir Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey introduce the sonnet form and blank verse to English literature, experimenting with themes of love, honor, and loyalty.

THE PERMANENT COLONIES IN THE NEW ENGLAND

England establishes its first permanent colony in North America at Jamestown, Virginia marking the beginning of English colonialism.

THE ACT OF SUPREMACY

The Act of Supremacy establishes the Church of England, breaking from the Catholic Church under the pope. The English Reformation begins, leading to religious and political changes.

THE END OF AN ERA

William Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, in his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon at the age of 52. His death remains somewhat mysterious, with no clear cause recorded, though some scholars speculate it may have been due to a sudden illness.

DEFEAT OF THE SPANISH ARMADA

England’s victory over Spain fosters national pride and solidifies its naval power, influencing the rise of a patriotic and exploratory spirit.

LE MORTE D'ARTHUR BY SIR THOMAS MALORY

Early literary works still focus on religious themes, but there is a growing interest in humanism. Le Morte d’Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory (1485) bridges medieval and Renaissance values.

ELIZABETH I

Birth: 1533 Death: 1603 Elizabeth I, born in 1533, was the Queen of England from 1558 until her death in 1603. Known as the "Virgin Queen", she established Protestantism in England and oversaw a period of cultural flourishing known as the Elizabethan Era. Her reign saw the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 and the rise of English influence in the world. Elizabeth is celebrated for her intelligence, strong leadership, and her ability to navigate complex political and religious challenges.

THE END OF TWO ROSES WAR

Henry VII’s victory at Bosworth stabilizes England, marking the beginning of the Tudor dynasty.

SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION

The Scientific Revolution in England, spanning the 16th to 18th centuries, marked a profound transformation in understanding the natural world. Pioneers like Isaac Newton, Robert Boyle, and Francis Bacon pushed boundaries through empirical observation, experimentation, and the development of the scientific method. England's Royal Society, founded in 1660, played a central role by fostering collaboration among scientists and sharing discoveries. This period saw major advances in physics, chemistry, astronomy, and biology, reshaping society’s views on knowledge and laying the groundwork for the Enlightenment and modern science.

HENRY VII

Birth: 1457Death: 1509 Reign: He was King of England from 1485 to 1509. He took the throne after defeating King Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field, which marked the end of the Wars of the Roses.

A cultural development

Elizabeth I and her courtiers support the arts, allowing writers and playwrights to flourish. At the same time the Middle Class grows. Economic prosperity and expanding trade lead to a more educated society with time and money to spend on literature and theater.

THE "BLOOD MARY"

Mary I orders the burning of Protestant figures, including Thomas Cranmer, leading to English hostility toward Catholicism.

NEW COLONIES IN AMERICA

The Mayflower set sail from Plymouth, England, on September 16, 1620, carrying 102 passengers seeking religious freedom and new opportunities in America. The Mayflower Compact was signed aboard the ship, establishing a form of self-governance and cooperation that would shape early colonial society. The settlers, known as the Pilgrims, went on to establish Plymouth Colony, one of the first successful English settlements in North America.

INTERNAL DIVISIONS

The shift to Protestantism causes societal divisions; religious dissent increases, affecting families, education, and communities. During Henry VIII reign Ireland remained a Catholic country marking the beginnning of the "Irish question".

SHEAKESPARE

William Shakespeare, born in 1564, is one of the greatest playwrights in history. His plays, such as Hamlet, Macbeth, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, are known for their deep understanding of human nature and mastery of language. Shakespeare's work has had a lasting impact on literature and continues to be performed worldwide.

THE MOST FAMOUS PLAYWRIGHTS OF THE 16TH CENTURY

• William Shakespeare: Produces iconic plays such as Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as various Sonnets.
• Christopher Marlowe: Creates influential tragedies like Doctor Faustus, exploring the limits of human ambition.

DISSOLUTION OF MONASTERIES

Henry VIII seizes church lands, weakening Catholic influence and redistributing wealth.

KING JAMES THE BIBLE

James commissions a new English Bible, which becomes one of the most widely read and stylistically influential texts in English. Literature reflects societal fears and uncertainty, focusing on themes like ambition, corruption, and the supernatural.

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Spread of printed books

The printing revolution in England began in 1476 with the introduction of the movable type printing press by William Caxton. Caxton, an English merchant and translator, had spent considerable time in the Netherlands, where he became familiar with the printing techniques developed by Johannes Gutenberg in Germany. Fascinated by the potential of this new technology, Caxton decided to bring it to England, transforming the cultural and social landscape of the country.

THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYERS

The Book of Common Prayer, first published in 1549, was created to unify worship in the Church of England. It provided services, prayers, and sacraments in English instead of Latin, making religious practices more accessible. The book became central to Anglican worship, influencing Christian liturgy worldwide. Its poetic language and structure also had a lasting impact on English culture.

THE BEGINNING OF A NEW DINASTY

James VI of Scotland becomes James I of England, uniting the crowns of England and Scotland, though religious and political tensions persist.

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LITERARY SILENCE

Few major works are produced as authors avoid persecution, and literary activity slows under Mary’s oppressive rule.

EDWARD VI

Edward VI’s Protestant regents advance religious reform, promoting English as the language of worship.

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THE GUNPOWDER PLOT

A failed Catholic conspiracy to assassinate James and Parliament intensifies anti-Catholic sentiment in England.

MARY I

Birth: 1516 Death: 1558 Mary I’s attempt to restore Catholicism results in persecution of Protestants and intensified political-religious conflict.

THE THEATRE "BOOM"

Theaters like The Globe become popular, making drama a central form of entertainment for all social classes. In Elizabethean society we assist to the Golden Age of Poetry and Drama: authors experiment with classical forms, exploring themes of love, power, and human ambition.

ELIZABETHAN RELIGOUS SETTLEMENT

Elizabeth I re-establishes Protestantism while avoiding extremes, fostering a stable, religiously balanced state.

HENRY VIII

Birth: 1491Death: 1547Reign: King of England from 1509 to 1547. He ascended the throne following the death of his father, Henry VII. He was called "The Golden Prince" both for his natural good looks and for his chilvary and education. is famous for his six marriages and his role in separating the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church. His desire for a male heir led him to annul his first marriage to Catherine of Aragon, sparking the English Reformation and England’s break from papal authority. Known for his larger-than-life personality, Henry's reign significantly shaped English history, marking a period of religious and political upheaval.