The Renaissance ("re-birth") was a cultural movement that spanned the 14th to 17th centuries beginning in Florence, Italy in the late Middle Ages and then spreading to the rest of Europe.

1) Education - became more important, growth of schools, more books, invention of printing, literacy rates improved. In general, education not just in hands of church - scholars could question the church.

2) Drama - before, just mystery and bible plays; in Renaissance, more genres emerged, new playwrights emerged, more theatres built.

3) Art
- in medieval times, focus on religion, flat, simple colours.
- in Renaissance, non-religious themes as well, more realistic, perspective was used
- new techniques of drawing (Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci).

4) Architecture
- St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Biggest church in the world.
- Il Duomo, Florence*; took 16 years to build the dome.

5) Music
- development of opera
- music develops outside of church
- increase in number of instruments in orchestra.
- Thomas Tallis (English composer).

6) Science
- Copernicus (Polish) stated that world revolved around the sun and not the other way round.
- Galileo(Italian) (telescope)
- Harvey (English) discovered that blood circulated around the body
- Isaac Newton (English) (gravity)

* Why was Florence an important city?
- it stood at the meeting point of important trade routes when northern Italy was the centre of European trade. It was a leading centre of industry and commerce.