What was happening in Europe 1500s?

1500s–1600s Portugal, Spain, England, and France establish the slave trade from Africa to bring workers to sugar and tobacco plantations in South America and the Caribbean, and later to the cotton plantations in the southern U.S. religious Reformation begins. Protestant religions emerge in Europe.

How was Europe in the 16th century?

The 16th century was a period of vigorous economic expansion. This expansion in turn played a major role in the many other transformations—social, political, and cultural—of the early modern age. By 1500 the population in most areas of Europe was increasing after two centuries of decline or stagnation.

Where should I start in medieval history?

Five Books to Start Your Journey Back to the Middle Ages

• The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Middle Ages by Timothy C. Hall.
• Medieval Lives by Terry Jones and Alan Ereira.
• The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer.

Why were books important during the Renaissance?

The invention of the printing press transformed society by making information and literature more available. “Printing made books cheaper and more plentiful,” therefore enabling individuals to be well-read (Norton 534).

What happened in England in the 1500s?

22 April – the 17-year-old Henry VIII becomes King of England on the death of his father, Henry VII; he will reign for 38 years. His grandmother Lady Margaret Beaufort serves as regent until her death on 29 June. 11 June – Henry VIII marries Catherine of Aragon, his brother’s widow. 24 June – coronation of Henry VIII.

How was England in the 1500s?

In 1500 the population of England was about 3 million. Due to yearly outbreaks of plague and sickness the population stayed at about this number. There was a general shortage of labourers which meant wages were high and rents low. All classes therefore enjoyed a reasonable standard of living.

What was 16th century England like?

In 16th century England, most of the population lived in small villages and made their living from farming. However, towns grew larger and more important. During the 16th century trade and industry grew rapidly and England became a more and more commercial country. Mining of coal, tin, and lead flourished.

What happened in 16th century England?

During this 16th century, Britain cut adrift from the Catholic church, carving out a new national church, the Church of England, with the monarch as it’s supreme head. The actions of King Henry VIII resulted in the ‘Act of Supremacy’ and Roman Catholicism was banned.

What did people read in Middle Ages?

The majority of medieval literature was made up of theological writings and devotional literature intended to extend the religious horizon of the reading public and deepen their knowledge of doctrine. There were also specialist texts as well as poetry and romances.

How were books made in the 1500s?

Printers used woodcuts to print illustrations by the relief process and experimented with intaglio in copper engravings. Woodcut pictures were produced before metal types, and it was a simple development to make woodcuts in appropriate dimensions for use with type to print illustrated books.

What was the first book published in Europe?

The Gutenberg Bible
1455: The Gutenberg Bible (in Latin) was the first book printed in Europe with movable metal type, by Johannes Gutenberg.