The Renaissance was a time of transition, revival, new ideas, and social upheaval. The Renaissance saw the transition of Europe from the Middle Ages to the fetus of the modern world. The knowledge of Europe had lagged behind as the people clung to their traditional teaching and views, the Renaissance began the revival of ancient learning and brought about new secular and scientific values in a highly religious world. It was during this time that secular and scientific values began to supplant traditional religious beliefs. People began to question the thus far infallible Church, which had fallen into decadence and utter corruption. People began to ponder about the nature and relationship of God and Jesus, which would lead to a series of bloody wars of religion. Art took new forms as man examined and praised the human form. Now one could paint more than just religious scenes, one could experiment and bring life to the paintings.
During the Renaissance Europe saw a growing national identity, but total Nationalism would not be realized until the French Revolution. There was a growing political centralization, breaking away from the fractured feudal order where orders trickled down through an unreliable chain of lords. Europe saw an economic revitalization in a growing urban economy and ever-greater lay and secular control over thought and culture, including religion.
The Renaissance began in a fractured and diverse 14th century Italy. The Italian Renaissance would carry on into the 15th century and would end with Imperial Spanish troops sacking Rome in 1527. The Northern Renaissance was a movement across the nations north of Italy, including Spain. The Northern Renaissance borrowed the basic principles of the Renaissance from the Italians, but would cultivate a distinct revival from that of the Italians. The Italian Renaissance was much more secular and focused on classical themes, while the Northern Renaissance was one driven by the desire for religious reform, a return to Christian values, and the revolt against the authority of the church.
The religious drive for change in the north was sprung from the decadence and corruption of the Catholic Church. Papal dynasties arose and grew infamous for their vile deeds. The Borgia for example were a family of notable clergy notorious for their sexual orgies and festivals. Churchmen began to sire children, and Popes were even accused of incest. The Church was filthy and her reputation diminished. The benefice system of the Church also came under fire from the northerners who opposed the sale of church offices. The church became very impersonal and further drove the people away; Clergy bought the rights to a church office in area and did not even have to live there. The Popes blew Church money extravagantly on lavish palaces and immoral parties to the point of bankruptcy. Finally the popes were forced to call upon the sale of indulgences, which was the straw that broke the camels back. Indulgences were the sale of forgiveness for literally any crime, and would supplant the required penance for the crime. These indulgences could even save those long dead, and were said to be able to forgive raping Mary herself. German friar Martin Luther opposed this adamantly and inadvertently placed a permanent wedge between the powers of Europe and set forth one of the greatest social upheavals of European history.
The French Renaissance grew strength with Francis I's invasion of Italy, where they found the new art and ideas from the Italians and brought these findings back with them on their way home. Francis I was a patron of the Arts and founded his school of art at Fontainebleau. This was the first mannerist school, that redefined elegance in France and Europe.
The French Renaissance also influenced the new monarchy that followed the new trend of monarchs to consolidate their power. The feudal kings of France were weak and had to share power with their vassals, but the ensuing chaos of of the 1300s-1400s brought an end to all this. The Hundred Years War and the Great Schism in the Church diminished the reputation of the Church and brought the nobility to their knees. The growing middle class in the towns of France grew weary of the constant private wars of their feudal lords. They allied themselves with the new monarchy as the new monarchs offered the institution of monarchy as a guarantee of law and order. The new monarchs of France proclaim hereditary monarchy as the only legitimate form of power. The Kings gained the power to tax, and thus could afford to raise greater armies to control their nobility and to fight foreign wars. This new monarchy came with the rise of Louis XI of the Valois line of the Capetian dynasy. Louis continued to round of French borders with his new army. He suppressed brigands and subdued the nobility. He collected taxes and controlled the Clergy. His rule combined the necessary factors for success in a European setting.
Humanism marked the entire Renaissance as a new definition of Man and a new way of thinking. Humanism brought a focus on this world, on involvement in civic affairs, brought individual credit for achievements, and a curiosity about geographic climates. It reintroduced rhetoric, and brought about new cultural ideas. Awareness for manners and morals, an interest in intellectual and athletic endeavors. Humanism challenged the traditional Scholasticim by taking educational focus away from entirely religious concepts. Humanism renewed interests in science, medicine, and mathematics and for classical writings and authentic sources. Humanism cultivated individualism and virtue.
The Northern Renaissance and Humanism brought about great social and scientific change in Europe and especially France. These events changed Europe entirely and would affect the course of French history for the rest of Modern History.
Questions, Comments, Concerns welcome.
Part II: Religious Upheaval and Wars and there affect on France. Coming latest by next week Friday.
