Chapter 14: Religious Wars and State Building
Research Topics
An Age of Uncertainty
How do we account for the profound religious strife of the period 1540-1660?
The long century from 1540 to 1660 was a period of religious strife, civil war and warfare between states. Although the period produced some of the finest literature and art in the West, the fact remains that the Iron Century symbolizes and age of uncertainty and anxiety.
Although the Protestant Reformation clearly set the stage for the religious conflicts of the 16th and 17th centuries there were many forces at work that caused this age to search for certainty. Witchcraft, for instance, became more prominent at this time.
How do we account for the profound religious strife of the period 1540-1660?
The long century from 1540 to 1660 was a period of religious strife, civil war and warfare between states. Although the period produced some of the finest literature and art in the West, the fact remains that the Iron Century symbolizes and age of uncertainty and anxiety.
Although the Protestant Reformation clearly set the stage for the religious conflicts of the 16th and 17th centuries there were many forces at work that caused this age to search for certainty. Witchcraft, for instance, became more prominent at this time.
- Directions for the Torture of a Witch, 1486
First published in 1486, the Malleus Maleficarum (The Hammer of Witches), served as a handbook for Inquisitors during the era of the Inquisition. - The Peace of Augsburg, 1555
The text of a treaty between the Holy Roman Emperor and the Lutheran princes that allowed for German princes to select either Lutheranism or Catholicism within their own kingdoms. - The Reformation in France, The French Propositions, 1563
A list of propositions, supposedly representative of the court party of France, brought to the Council of Trent by French bishops in 1563. - Jacques-Auguste De Thou, The Massacre of St. Bartholomew, 1572
A contemporary historian and statesman describes the events leading up to the massacre of French Protestants at Paris in 1572. - Montaigne, On the Education of Children," 1580
In this essay Montaigne identified education with philosophy, which he considered "the molder of judgment and conduct."
Topic: An Age of Uncertainty - Jean Bodin, The Duty of Persecution, 1580
Although better known for his theory of sovereignty, here Bodin recommended torture for those souls convicted of practicing witchcraft. - Henry IV, The Edict of Nantes, 1598
The Edict, which granted religious toleration to French Protestants, was intended to bring an end to the violent wars of religion that had plagued the nation. - Charles I, "Declaration of Sports," 1633
The English Puritans must have been shocked when Charles I reissued a declaration of his father's that permitted and encouraged popular amusements on a Sunday.
Topic: An Age of Uncertainty
Section Menu
Chapter 
Organize
Learn
Connect
Instructors now have an easy way to collect students’ online quizzes with the Norton Gradebook without flooding their inboxes with e-mails.
Students can track their online quiz scores by setting up their own Student Gradebook.