Protestant Reformation, Scientific Revolution, and Early Modern European Literature

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering major historical figures, documents, movements, and concepts from the Protestant Reformation to the 17th Century.

Inner man

In Martin Luther's 'The Freedom of a Christian', this refers to the soul, which is justified by faith alone and does not depend on good works for salvation.

Outer man

In Martin Luther's 'The Freedom of a Christian', this refers to the physical body, which performs good works as a reflection of faith.

Ninety-Five Theses

A document written by Martin Luther in $1517$ as a critique of the Catholic Church, particularly targeting the sale of indulgences, and which initiated the Protestant Reformation.

Council of Trent

The Catholic Church’s response to the Protestant Reformation, taking place from $1545-1563$, which reaffirmed Church doctrines and helped launch the Counter-Reformation.

Spiritual Exercises

A text written by Ignatius of Loyola that provides a guide for meditation and prayer to promote personal spiritual discipline during the Catholic Reformation.

Mental prayer

A silent, internal form of prayer emphasized by Teresa of Ávila that reflects a growing focus on personal religious experience.

Bensalem

The fictional society in Francis Bacon’s 'New Atlantis' that represents an ideal society governed by scientific knowledge.

Idols of the Mind

A concept described by Francis Bacon as systematic errors in thinking that distort human understanding.

Heliocentrism

An astronomical model proposed by Copernicus and supported by Galileo that places the sun at the center of the universe and challenged Church authority.

Locke on Social Contract

John Locke's argument that government exists by the consent of the governed and must protect natural rights.

Locke on Private Property

John Locke's argument that property comes from mixing labor with nature and is a natural right.

Chivalric Code

A set of ideals guiding knights, including honor, loyalty, and bravery.

Courtly Romance Literature

A genre focusing on knights, quests, and love, such as 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight'.

Caliban

A character in 'The Tempest' representing colonized peoples and raising questions about power.

Tragicomedy

A literary and theatrical genre combining elements of tragedy and comedy.

Globe Theater

A famous London theater where the plays of William Shakespeare were performed.

Military Revolution

Changes in warfare that strengthened centralized states.

Bertrand de Rols

An impostor in 'The Return of Martin Guerre' who raises questions about identity.

Confessionalization

The process by which states enforced religious uniformity.

17th Century Crisis

A period of economic hardship, war, and instability in Europe during the $17^{th}$ century.

Black Death

A devastating pandemic that reshaped European society.