What made the English Renaissance different from (and later than) the Italian Renaissance?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers will vary. The English Renaissance was delayed in development until the reign of Elizabeth I for several reasons. The Florentine Renaissance happened in response to the renewed interest of Greek and Roman classic knowledge that came with contact (and exodus of Byzantines from) Constantinople as it fell to the Ottomans in 1453. As well, the Florentine Renaissance happened in the rise of humanist concerns and issues with the Catholic Church. In mid-sixteenth century England, these factors were not applicable. At the time of the Florentine Renaissance, England was plunged into political chaos with the War of the Roses, and subsequently with the English Reformation as initiated by Henry VIII. England was also politically and religiously unstable after Henry VIII's death, going between his children and between Protestantism and Catholicism until the ascension of Elizabeth I. Under Elizabeth's 45 years reign, England finally saw political stability, as well as economic growth and relative religious stability. Subsequently, with her patronage and support, the arts grew in Elizabethan England, including the works of William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlow, Edmund Spencer, and Sir Walter Raleigh. Because the ideas of humanism were already well established in England, and the Catholic Church was not a formidable presence to react to, the English Renaissance took on a very different character and trajectory than the Italian Renaissance.