Century Sixteenth Timeline 1485-1509 Henry VII 1509 Henry VIII succeeds his father, Henry VII 1517 Martin Luther initiates the Reformation, advocates personal faith and the authority of scripture Reformation takes hold in England as Henry the VIII seeks divorce from Catherine After excommunication by the Pope, and being named "head of the Church of England," Henry VIII continues to persecute both Catholics and Protestant reformers 1547 Henry VIII dies, succeeded by Edward VI (son of Henry VIII and 3rd wife, Jane Seymour); Edward VI is Protestant 1553 Edward VI dies; succeeded by Mary (daughter of Henry VIII and 1st wife, Catherine); Mary is Catholic and takes measures to make England so 1558 Mary dies; succeeded by Elizabeth I (daughter of Henry VIII and 2nd wife, Anne Boleyn); Elizabeth I is Protestant Elizabeth I signals England's return to the Reformation During her reign, Elizabeth creates a "Cult of Love" with her
subjects based on the concept that she protects her subjects because they love 1567-8 her Mary, Queen of Scots, (Catholic) is forced to abdicate; succeeded by her son, James VI of Scotland 1586-7 Mary, Queen of Scots, is tried for treason and executed 1603 Elizabeth I dies; succeeded by James VI of Scotland, becomes James I of England; establishes Stuart dynasty Elizabethan Poetry: Literature in court culture coterie audience "Cult of Love" the relationship Elizabeth I created with her subjects o How to approach the Queen o Use of language o Public Appearance o The semi-divine Virgin Queen Courtiers use flattery, poetry, and other expressions of love to establish position in court and with the Queen
Petrarchan Sonnet tradition: Expression of unrequited erotic love Chaste fair (blonde) maiden as object Octave and sestet in iambic pentameter Rhyme scheme: abba abba cdecde (or, cdcdcd) Volta occurs with formal shift from octave to sestet Astrophil and Stella by Sir Philip Sidney o Model sonnet sequence in Petrarchan tradition o Astrophil was viewed as paradigmatic Petrarchan lover