The document outlines the Renaissance period (1485-1660) as a cultural movement characterized by a renewed interest in classical knowledge, humanism, and significant developments like the invention of the printing press and the rise of democracy. Key figures of this era include artists and thinkers such as Michelangelo, Galileo, and Shakespeare, whose contributions shaped literature, art, and philosophy. Additionally, the document discusses important historical events like the War of the Roses, the English Reformation, and the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, highlighting their impact on the cultural landscape of the time.