Glossary
Commercial Revolution
A period of European economic expansion, colonialism, and mercantilism from the 13th to 18th centuries, characterized by the growth of trade and new business practices.
Example:
The rise of banking, joint-stock companies, and new trade routes were key features of the Commercial Revolution.
Indulgences
Documents sold by the Catholic Church that were believed to reduce the time a soul would spend in purgatory, a practice widely criticized for its perceived corruption.
Example:
Martin Luther's Ninety-five Theses were primarily a protest against the sale of indulgences by Johann Tetzel.
Jan Hus
A Bohemian religious reformer who, prior to Martin Luther, openly challenged the Catholic Church's authority and advocated for biblical translation into the vernacular.
Example:
The execution of Jan Hus for heresy at the Council of Constance demonstrated the Church's fierce suppression of early dissent.
Johann Tetzel
A Dominican friar and preacher known for his aggressive marketing and sale of indulgences, whose methods provoked widespread criticism.
Example:
The infamous slogan of Johann Tetzel about coins ringing in the coffer became a symbol of the Church's perceived greed.
Johannes Gutenberg
The German inventor credited with introducing movable type printing to Europe, leading to the invention of the printing press around 1440.
Example:
Johannes Gutenberg's innovation made books more affordable and accessible, significantly increasing literacy rates.
John Wycliffe
An English theologian and early critic of the Catholic Church, he questioned papal authority and promoted the translation of the Bible into English.
Example:
John Wycliffe's ideas about the supremacy of scripture over papal decrees laid intellectual groundwork for later reformers.
Nepotism
The practice of favoring family members or friends, especially by giving them jobs or positions, often seen in the appointment of relatives to church offices.
Example:
The appointment of a cardinal's young nephew to a powerful church position, despite his lack of experience, was a clear instance of nepotism.
Political Centralization
The process by which political power becomes concentrated in a central authority, such as a monarch or national government, often at the expense of local or regional powers.
Example:
Monarchs like Henry VII sought political centralization by strengthening royal courts and diminishing the power of feudal lords.
Printing Press
An invention by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440 that revolutionized the spread of information by enabling the mass production of printed materials.
Example:
The printing press allowed Martin Luther's Ninety-five Theses and other reformist ideas to disseminate rapidly across Europe, fueling the Reformation.
Protestant Reformation
A 16th-century religious movement that began as an attempt to reform the Roman Catholic Church and resulted in the establishment of Protestant churches.
Example:
The Protestant Reformation fundamentally altered the religious and political landscape of Europe, leading to centuries of conflict and change.
Simony
The corrupt practice of buying or selling ecclesiastical offices or church appointments.
Example:
A wealthy family purchasing a bishopric for their unqualified son would be an example of simony.
St. Peter’s Basilica
A large basilica in Vatican City, Rome, whose costly rebuilding project was partly funded by the controversial sale of indulgences.
Example:
The immense expense of constructing St. Peter's Basilica contributed to the Church's financial pressures and reliance on practices like selling indulgences.
Star Chamber
An English court that sat at the royal Palace of Westminster, used by Henry VII to enforce royal law and strengthen the king's jurisdiction, often without a jury.
Example:
Henry VII utilized the Star Chamber to suppress rebellious nobles and assert greater royal authority, bypassing traditional legal procedures.
The Borgias
An influential and notorious Italian noble family during the Renaissance, known for their political ambition, corruption, and worldly excesses within the Church.
Example:
The scandalous reputation of The Borgias exemplified the moral decay and abuse of power that critics attributed to the Renaissance papacy.
Thirty Years’ War
A devastating European conflict (1618-1648) primarily fought in Central Europe, stemming from religious, dynastic, territorial, and commercial rivalries.
Example:
The Thirty Years' War is a prime example of how religious differences could escalate into widespread political and territorial conflicts in early modern Europe.
Vernacular
The common, everyday language spoken by people in a particular region, as opposed to a formal or sacred language like Latin.
Example:
The push for religious texts to be available in the vernacular allowed ordinary people to engage directly with scripture.