The Other Renaissance

From Copernicus to Shakespeare: How the Renaissance in Northern Europe Transformed the World

De: Paul Strathern

Narrado por: Roger May

An original, illuminating history of the northern European Renaissance in art, science, and philosophy, which often rivaled its Italian counterpart.

It is generally accepted that the European Renaissance began in Italy.

However, a historical transformation of similar magnitude also took place in northern Europe at the same time. This "Other Renaissance" was initially centered on the city of Bruges in Flanders (modern Belgium), but its influence was soon being felt in France, the German states, London, and even in Italy itself. The northern Renaissance, like the southern Renaissance, largely took place during the period between the end of the Medieval age (circa mid-fourteenth century) and the advent of the Age of Enlightenment (circa end of seventeenth century).

Following a sequence of major figures, including Copernicus, Gutenberg, Luther, Catherine de' Medici, Rabelais, van Eyck, and Shakespeare, Paul Strathern tells the fascinating story of how this "Other Renaissance" played as significant a role as the Italian renaissance in bringing our modern world into being.

©2023 Paul Strathern (P)2024 Tantor

Comprehensive study

This is a meticulously researched, clearly written and insightful analysis of the developments of the Renaissance in Northern Europe and how it was influenced by, and influenced, the Renaissance in Italy. It is quite wide-ranging in its scope, covering, among other subjects, religion, politics, science, philosophy, literature, art and architecture. Strathern convincingly argues that the common theme in all these developments was the belief in, and acceptance of, change. He also argues that this is the most important legacy of the Renaissance.

My only quibbles are first, his argument that Catherine de' Medici saved the Northern Renaissance is somewhat thin, and second, his argument that Richelieu created modern statecraft needed more exposition.

Still, a very rewarding and satisfying listen.