Translations and Reprints From the Original Sources of European History, Vol. 1

Download or read book Translations and Reprints From the Original Sources of European History, Vol. 1 written by University of Pennsylvania; Dep History and published by . This book was released on 2015-07-06 with total page 196 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Excerpt from Translations and Reprints From the Original Sources of European History, Vol. 1: Series for 1894 The period of the Renaissance and the Reformation, which began in England with the closing years of the fifteenth century, was a period of individualism, and gave a greater opportunity of influence to men of genius than any earlier period had furnished. The loosening of the bonds of custom in intellectual and ecclesiastical system, and in political and economic organization, gave to the opinions and actions of individual men far more significance than they could have had in the Middle Ages. While the great currents of change could nut, it is true, be diverted and from their course, yet particular direction and form were given to such change by the influence of men who possessed conspicuous abilities, occupied a powerful position, or represented strong forces. Four such men especially stand out as representative men of the early part of the sixteenth century, both as guides of its movements and types of its characteristics. Cardinal Wolsey was the great statesman, lull of schemes of control and reform in church and state, and of ambition for English influence in the councils of Europe. Sir Thomas More was the representative of the "new learning," the keen critical intellect and broadened interests and sympathies which were transforming the entire habits of thought of the nation. Latimer represented she earnest protestant spirit of moral reform and revolt against the old church system. Finally, I Henry VIII was not only the central figure and dominating force in England during the period of Ins long reign, not merely the occasion of the beginning of the English Retormation, but the type and precursor of that enthusiastic national spirit which was to reach its culmination in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. To give greater clearness to the personality of these four men is the object of the following selections from the abundant and picturesque contemporary records. I. Reports Of Venetian Ambassadors. I. A Description Of Cardinal Wolsey. Sebastian Giustmiani to the Senate, September 10th, 1519. Brown, Calendar of State Papers, Venetian, Vol. I, p. 560. The Cardinal of York is the same as he whom I have styled Orion, in a work composed by me. He is of low origin and has two brothers, one of whom holds an untitled benefice, and the oilier is pushing his fortune. He rules both the king and the entire kingdom. On my first arrival in England he used to say to me, "His majesty will do so and so." Subsequently, by degrees, he forgot himself, and commenced saying, "We shall do so and so." At this present he has readied such a pitch that he says, "I shall do so and so." About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.