Palmer section 7: The Renaissance Outside Italy

Christian humanism

Focused on the study of Hebrew and Greek Bible texts and other church writings to deepen understanding of Christianity and restore its moral vitality

Regiomotanus

laid foundations for a mathematical conception of the universe; most influential scientific worker of the 15th century

Nicholas of Cusa

A Rhinelander churchman whose mystical philosophy entered into the later development of mathematics and science

Copernicus

Polish man who believed the earth moved around the sun

Paracelsus

undertook to revolutionize medicine at the University of Babel

Dr. Faustus

In real life, a learned German in the early 1500s; in legend he sold his soul to the devil for knowledge and power

Gerard Groote

A lay preacher who attracted followers through his sermons on spiritual regeneration; Founded Brothers and Sisters of the Common Life

Brothers and Sisters of the Common Life

Groups of men and women (founded by Gerard Groote) who lived communally and worked at relieving the poor and in teaching

Modern Devotion

The Christian ideal of character and conduct and qualities such as humility, tolerance, reverence, love of one's neighbor, made up the missionaries of the Brothers and Sisters of the Common Life

Erasmus of Rotterdam

An extremely important humanist figure; wrote in 'pure' Latin; expressed disapproval for the Middle Ages and scholasticism while upholding classical standards; wrote Praise of Folly, Handbook of a Christian Knight, and On Civility in Children; extremely eminent in his time

Thomas à Kempis

a German-Dutch author of The Imitation of Christ from the late medieval period

Meister Eckhart

German Catholic theologian, philosopher and mystic