Martin Luther

(1517)

Hints:

~ From the German State

~ Wrote 95 Theses; New Testament(German); On Christian Liberty

~ Of the Reformation Era

~ Preacher who founded the entire Protestant Reformation. He first questioned the selling of indulgences; later challenged relics, infallibility of the pope, hierarchy of believers, pluralism, transubstantiation, 5 of the sacraments and more.

~ Was excommunicated at the Diet of Worms. Translated New Testament to German so many more could read.

~ Followers founded Lutheran Church based on his reforms and beliefs that the Bible is the only authority and that salvation comes only from faith (not works).

~ Allowed clergy to marry.

John Calvin

(1541)

Hints:

~ From Geneva, Switzerland

~ Wrote Institutes of Christian Religion; Genevan Catechism

~ Of the Reformation Era

~ Preacher who founded the Calvinist (also called Presbyterian, Reformed, Huguenot, and Puritan) faith. 

~ Most important idea was predestination. God chooses the saved/ fate is predetermined. Absolute power & sovereignty of God. God's will be done on Earth.

~ Geneva Consistory did not allow sinning or missing church. Very serious introspective people. Bible only authority.

Henry VIII (Tudor)

(1539)

Hints:

~ From England

~ Wrote In Defense of the Seven Sacraments

~ Of the Reformation Era

~ A ruler; originally a strong supporter of Catholicism until Pope Clement VII denied his annulment to Catherine of Aragon. Enraged

~ Henry started his own faith - Church of England (Anglican) that had a Catholic look & theology but placed the monarch at the head instead of the pope.

~ Was a patron of the arts and was a strong king.

Ignatius Loyola

(1540)

Hints:

~ From Spain

~ Wrote Spiritual Exercises

~ Of the Counter Reformation Era

~ A charismatic monk who led the charge against new Protestants. 

~ Instilled discipline and respect in Catholics.

~ Founded the strict Jesuit order to do good works (especially education) among the people. This brought many people back.

Henry the Navigator

(1440)

Hints:

~ From Portugal

~ Of the Renaissance and Discovery Era

~ The ruler who launched the Age of Discovery with his academy of navigation (taught sailing, shipbuilding, and astronomy).

~ Sent explorers to West Africa in search of gold.

Christopher Columbus

(1492)

Hints:

~ From Genoa (sailed for Spain)

~ Of the Renaissance and Discovery Era

~ The explorer who opened up Europe to the New World which forever linked the globe and the Americas to exploration and exploitation by Europe.

Hernando Cortes

(1521)

Hints: 

~ From Spain

~ Of the Renaissance and Discovery Eroa.

~ Conquistador who discovered Mexico and conquered the native Aztecs (Chief Montezuma) with ugly brutality.

Francisco Pizarro

Hints:

~ From Spain

~ Of the Renaissance and Discovery Era

~ A conquistador who discovered Peru and conquered the native Incas (Chief Atahualpa) with ugly brutality.

Henry IV (Navarre)

(1589)

Hints:

~ From France

~ Wrote Edict of Nantes

~ Of the Age of Religious Wars

~ A Protestant ruler who ended the War of the Three Henrys (Wars of Religion) in France by converting to Catholicism ("Paris is worth a Mass")

~ Issued the Edict of Nantes, proclaiming toleration of Calvinists

Phillip II

(1581)

Hints:

~ From Spain

~ Of the Age of Religious Wars Era

~ A strong ruler who built Spain into a powerhouse with New World gold and silver - the impact was enormous inflation.

~ Tried to assert power in Netherlands and was beat by Protestant William of Orange.

~Invaded England with Spanish Armada (1588) and lost.

~ Patron of the arts - built elaborate mansion El Escorial.

Michel de Montaigne

(1555)

Hints:

~ From France

~ Wrote Essays

~ Of the Late Renaissance Era

~ An author who began the literature genre of the essay "know thyself."

~ Early skeptic - questioned basic beliefs (especially about religion) and in order to see issues from all sides

William Shakespeare

(1603)

Hints:

~ From England

~ Wrote Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello etc.

~ Of the Late Renaissance Era

~ Greatest playwright of all time. Tapped and explored the human psyche'. Most beloved are his trajedies.

~ Most performed playwright of all time.

Peter Paul Rubens

(1638)

Hints:

~ From Belgium

~ Wrote The Horrors of War

~ Of the Baroque Era

~ The leading baroque  artist that continued and further emphasized the emotion of the Renaissance.

~ Painting's have energy and passion, and glorified God.

~ Nude women (saints, nymphs)  were famous for their fleshy, sensous depiction.

Johann Sebastian Bach

(1700)

Hints:

~ From the German States

~ Wrote  Fugues & Symphonies

~ Of the Baroque Era

~ A composer who led the baroque movement with dynamic, soaring lines of symphonic music. Greatest writer of organ music ever.

~ Embodied baroque spirit of invention, tension, and emotion.