6. • The Renaissance (French for "rebirth"; Italian: Rinascimento, from ri- "again" and
nascere "be born")[1] was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to
the 17th century, beginning in Florence in the Late Middle Ages and later
spreading to the rest of Europe. As a cultural movement, it encompassed a
resurgence of learning based on classical sources, the development of linear
perspective in painting, and gradual but widespread educational reform.
• 1603 England - Death of Queen Elizabeth I on March 24
• 1603 England - James VI of Scotland crowned King of England (as
James I of England)
• 1603 England - Plague
• 1605 England and Scotland - onNovember 5, the Gunpowder plot is uncovered, in
which Guy Fawkes and other catholic associates attempted to blow up the king,
James VI and I and the Parliament of England.
• 1618 England - Execution of Sir Walter Raleigh
• 1625 England and Scotland - Death of James VI and I on March 27
• 1639 England and Scotland - At war until 1644 in what become known as the
Bishops' Wars
• 1640 England - The Long Parliament summoned.
• 1642 England - English Civil War begins (see Timeline of the English Civil War)
• 1666 England - The Great Fire of London ravages the city from September 2 -
September 6.
• 1688 England - The Glorious Revolution replaces James II with William III
11. • Industrial revolution 18th & 19th centuries
• In 1837 Queen Victoria was crowned at the age of nineteen. Many people thought the
responsibility was too great for her but she was a determined woman and reigned for 64
years.
• In 1840 the the Penny Black stamp was issued. This was the first stamp in the world. People
wrote a lot of letters at this time, as this was the only way to communicate over long
distances.
• In 1841 the first railway excursion was organised by Thomas Cook. At the museum you can
see some of the very first train tickets used for such excursions.
• In 1854 Florence Nightingale went to the Crimea to organise nursing during the war. There
she saved the lives of many injured soldiers.
• In 1855 the famous Victorian artist, Ford Madox Brown, painted the 'Last of England'. It
shows a family emigrating, possibly to Australia, to find work, like many people did in
Victorian times.
• In the 1860's the 'boneshaker' appeared on the roads. This was one of the first bicycles to
have pedals, which directly turned the front wheels. School visits to the Museum can see
examples of Victorian bicycles in the classroom.
• In 1864 boys under the age of 10 were banned from being chimney sweeps.
• The '10 hour Factory Act' was introduced. This meant that people could only be made to
work for up to 10 hours per day.
• In 1880 children up to the age of 12 were made to go to school.
• In the mid 1880's the 'Safety Bicycle' was built. It was much easier to ride than earlier
models, with both wheels the same size and a chain. This finally gave ordinary people the
freedom to travel.
