Humanism and new learning during the reign of Henry VII

Humanism and Henry VII

'Humanism and the new learning failed to make a significant impact during the reign of Henry VII'. Explain why you agree or disagree with this view.Humanism is linked to the renaissance - the rebirth of learning. Based on the rediscovery of ancient Greek and Latin texts. What they sought to do was to purify the ideas of religion from errors which had developed through translations.

Humanism in England

First appeared in England during the reign of Henry VII but influence was only at the upper end of society - link to levels of literacyKey humanist scholar Erasmus visited England in 1499Other important humanist scholars were William Grocyn who began to lecture at Oxford on the ideas of Plato and Aristotle, and Thomas Linacre who was particularly influenced by the scientific thinking he acquired in Italy.

Importance of the printing press

Key development - brought to England by William Caxton in 1476From this point onwards a steady stream of major English texts (such as Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales) and translations from French and Latin emerged. This led to the growth of a wider reading public, the beginnings of the standardisation of the English language and the circulation of the radical ideas of Erasmus

Role of Henry VII

Henry patronised learning and encouraged artists, musicians, poets and men of letters. He established a royal library and commissioned Polydore Vergil to write a history of England. In the opinion of the modern historian Gordon Kipling ‘no previous English King had been so acutely aware of the political advantages of surrounding himself with literary servants’

Role of Henry VII

It was the task of poets like John Skelton and historians like Vergil ‘to present Tudor policy in as forceful and impressive a manner as possible’. Taking as his model the court of the Dukes of Burgundy, which was acknowledged to be the most magnificent in Europe, Henry wanted the English court to become the principal focus of cultural activity in the kingdom

Humanism and education

‘Song schools’ and ‘reading schools’ provided elementary education for the very young and what we would now consider secondary education took place in grammar schools. While some of these had existed for centuries, 53 new grammar schools were founded between 1460 and 1509.The rich clearly had access to education – for the majority of the population it depended on where you lived. Latin was central to the grammar school curriculum

Most schools probably continued to teach in the traditional way but the 1480s saw the beginnings of a humanist approach, particularly at Magdalen College School in Oxford.Erasmus had been impressed with the high standards of classical teaching being fostered by John Colet, founder of St Paul’s School

Humanism and education

Development of universities

University education centred on the ancient universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Oxford had experienced substantial growth in the first half of the 1400s but this had ground to a halt. Cambridge however, had several new colleges founded during this period. It benefitted from the generosity of Lady Margaret Beaufort who was responsible for the foundation of Christ’s College and St John’s College.

Development of the Arts

Drama - most important art form of the period. Plays were often associated with church-ale festivalsTroupes of players (often sponsored by the nobility) toured the country. Most famous plays were mystery plays. Performances were important festive occasions, delivering moral and religious messagesBUT no great development of theatre took place during Henry VII's reign

Music

This would have been enjoyed at a variety of different levels throughout the periodBands would entertain crowds on saint days; music was also an important part of worshipThis music underwent the beginnings of a ‘renaissance’ as single-line chants gave way to polyphonic choral music, where different parts of the choir sang independent melodic lines, which would be heard in cathedrals and other major churches

Music

The two most important composers in the book: Thomas Browne – he was employed in the household of the Earl of Oxford Robert Faryfax – he benefitted from the patronage of Lady Margaret Beaufort and the King himself Music performed at court or in the homes of the wealthy (normally from the minstrels’ gallery) used instruments such as trumpets, shawms (like an oboe) and sackbuts (like a trombone). Softer music used instruments such as stringed instruments, recorders and lutes. Carols, not then exclusively associated with Christmas, were also popular.

Art and architecture

There was a massive amount of building and rebuilding of parishes churches that occurred at this time. The vast number of churches were built in the Gothic perpendicular style (with an emphasis on vertical lines) and this is an indication of the scale of investment which took place. In 1502 Henry VII approved this architectural style for the Lady Chapel at Westminster Abbey. English culture still followed the Gothic traditions of north-western Europe, with an allegedly primitive visual style.

Conclusion

Renaissance clearly had an impact on England during Henry's reignImprovements across a number of areas - give examplesHowever, humanism made only a small impact. It would not be until the reign of Henry VIII that its influence would be felt.