Early Modern Britain Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards for the Early Modern Period in Britain, covering key events, figures like Leonardo da Vinci, and concepts such as the Renaissance and the Reformation.

Early Modern Period

The period from 1450 to 1750 in Britain, Europe, and the wider world, marked by significant changes that shaped the modern world.

Spanish Armada

Sent by Catholic Spain to invade England in 1588 but was defeated, ensuring England remained a Protestant nation.

Martin Luther's Reformation

Criticism of the Catholic Church that led to the Reformation, dividing Europe between Catholic and Protestant countries.

England's East India Company

Company that began to trade in South East Asia in 1600.

Gunpowder Plot

Attempt by Catholic plotters to blow up Parliament in 1605, but they were arrested before they could do so.

English Colonization

Established England's first successful colony in North America in 1607.

English Civil War

Fought between supporters of King Charles I and Parliament in 1642.

Glorious Revolution

Forced the Catholic monarch James II to give up his throne in 1688, leading to Parliament inviting William and Mary to rule.

Act of Union

Between England and Scotland in 1707, creating a unified parliament in London.

Jacobite Rebellion

Led by Charles Edward Stuart in 1745 to force George II off the throne, but was defeated at the Battle of Culloden.

Leonardo da Vinci

Italian artist, sculptor, architect, musician, engineer, and scientist of the Renaissance period.

Lady with Ermine

A portrait by Leonardo da Vinci from 1483-90.

Renaissance

A period of renewed interest in Ancient Greece and Rome that began in the fifteenth century in the cities of northern Italy.

Printing Press

Invented in the 1440s by Johannes Gutenberg; used moveable metal letters, a press, and ink to copy text onto paper, making books quicker and cheaper to produce.

Vasco da Gama

Explorer who sailed around the tip of Africa in 1497-98, becoming the first European to reach India by sea.

Ferdinand Magellan

Explorer who sailed from Spain in 1517 to search for a western route to the East Indies and whose crew were the first to sail around the world.

Reformation

In the sixteenth century, the split in Christianity between Catholics and Protestants, leading to conflicts within and between European countries.

Martin Luther

Presented 95 arguments against indulgences in 1517, sparking the Reformation.

Jean de Dinteville

The French ambassador in London in 1533, featured in Hans Holbein's painting 'The Ambassadors'.

Hampton Court Palace

Henry VIII's magnificent palace on the River Thames, expanded after being taken from Thomas Wolsey in 1529.

Henry VII

The first Tudor monarch who died in April 1509.

Henry VIII

Ruled England from 1509 to 1547. His reign was an extraordinary story of love, power and death.

Act of Supremacy

Made the king 'Supreme Head of the Church of England'.

Act of Succession

Made Henry and Anne's children heirs to the throne.

Treason Act

Made it high treason to challenge the king's position as Head of the Church, even in words.

Spanish Armada, 1588

Was sent by Phillip II of Spain to invade England and restore the Catholic faith. With the help of the Dutch, the English managed to prevent the invasion.

Francis Drake

Voyaged around the globe between 1577 and 1580

Walter Raleigh

Explored and settled North America.