Unit+I


 * __The Italian Renaissance__**

Baldassare Castiglione was a courtier and humanist Renaissance author who is well-known for //Book of the Courtier//. This book explained every value a fine gentleman (and his noble lady) should possess from a courtier himself during the Renaissance. Castiglione was famous not only because he was involved in the court systems, but because his book changed the expectations of the men in this time period. This book held the standards that the upper class held themselves to for the next five centuries. To this day, it is still said to be one of the only valid accounts of court life in the Renaissance. Click [|here] to learn more about Castiglione.
 * Baldassare Castiglione (1478-1529) **

Lorenzo de Medici was one of the most successful Italian merchants of the Renaissance. He was the most brilliant of the Medici family, virtual ruler of Florence, a scholar and poet, astute politician, and a great patron of the arts. Lorenzo de Medici made Florence the most powerful city-state in Italy and led it to its highest political and economical stage during the Renaissance. Also, his patronage of arts was helpful to many artist, such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo by funding their artwork. Lorenzo's legacy flourished Florence with wealth making it one most powerful city-states and influeneced many people to pursue education and fund arts, which is still encouraged in modern society. Click [|here] to learn more about Lorenzo de Medici.
 * Lorenzo de Medici (1449-1492)**

During the 14th and 17th centuries, humanism, a classic Greek and Roman idea, was revived during the Renaissance. It was a cultural and intellectual movement that emphasized secular and individual concerns. Humanist ideas spread to all of Europe due to the invention of the printing press and increasing trade. Some of the main humanist of the Renaissance were Thomas More, Desiderius Erasmus and Niccolò Machiavelli. Humanism birthed the ideas of individualism and secularism which were all very important for the Renaissance to occur. Humanism is important because it changed how people thought about human nature and his capabilities. Click[| here] to learn more about humanism in the Renaissance.
 * humanism **

Michelangelo was an Italian painter, sculptor, architect, and engineer. He is the artist of great works such as //David, The Last Judgement,// and the //Pieta////.// Michelangelo was one of the artists who led the way for Renaissance ideas such as humanism and individualism. His many great works inspired other people during the Renaissance to go out and find their unique talents. Because he was so versatile in talents, he was looked to as a model of how a Renaissance man was supposed to be educated. Michelangelo's talents were highly sought after during the Renaissance and continue to influence artists to this day. Click [|here] to learn more about Michelangelo.
 * Michelangelo (1475-1564)**

Julius the second, nephew of pope Sixtus IV, was an Italian pope who featured greatly in the Italian Wars between the great powers of the day. He lived during the High Renaissance, an era in which the Italian city states were divided and ruled by despots and when the papacy held military and political sway in the world. In conjunction with numerous allies, pope Julius the second sought to break in sequence to power of those who would seek dominion over Italy, though he himself dreamed of a united Italy. Julius the second's efforts maintained the status-quot of Italian division and subjugation by foreigners, without which other aspiring powers would have found great difficulty in asserting themselves in the traditional renaissance manner. Click here to learn more about Pope Julius II.
 * Julius II (1443-1513) **

Francesco Petrarch was an Italian poet as well as one of the first humanists. Often called the “Father of Humanism”, he was a strong advocate for classical culture and Christianity. Combining Christianity with classical culture ensured acceptance in Roman Catholic Europe, where many ideas were rejected unless they were related to faith.Petrarch sparked the humanist influence at the beginning of the Renaissance, which led to the rediscovery of more classical works, individualism, and the confidence of the capabilities of man, especially on dangerous oversea journeys. Petrarch built the foundation for humanists during the Renaissance, a period of unbelievable growth and revival intellectually and artistically. To learn more about Petrarch, click [|here].
 * Francesco Petrarch (1304-1374) **

The Renaissance, meaning rebirth in French, was during the 14th and 17th century and was a time of cultural achievements and changes especially in art and intellect. This movement mostly affected nobility in Italy and later spread to the rest of Europe with the help of expanding trade and the printing press. The Renaissance contributed greatly to this era. This was the reason for the explosion and change of intellectual thinking and art. The Renaissance is important because some of the ideas that were created in this time people still use today and it was the biggest turning point for all of Europe. Click here to learn more about the Renaissance.
 * Renaissance **

Leonardo da Vinci was an Italian Renaissance genius due to the versatility of his mind; he was a renowned painter, sculptor, scientist, and inventor. Throughout modern history, da Vinci has been assigned the title of the greatest Renaissance man because of his study of a wide range of topics and his competence with each. Throughout da Vinci’s life, he constantly challenged accepted principles of his era, which led him to deeply explore many aspects of art, science, biology, and engineering. His sketches of the human body aided the understanding of human anatomy and physiology and his detailed drawing of parachutes, engines, and flying machines caused him to become one of the most forwarding thinking men of his age. In his masterful creation, //Mona Lisa,// da Vinci changed the way modern portraits would be painted; the way that the woman smiles and her position relative to the observer creates an intriguing portrait. //The Last Supper,// a fresco, depicts the scene where Jesus tells his disciplines that one of them will betray him; the fresco impacted the Renaissance due to da Vinci’s interesting techniques of using one point perspective and painting on dry plaster, which was an experimental method that was not highly durable. Leonardo’s lasting legacy is that he continues to inspire artists, inventors, and engineers of the twenty-first century. Click here to learn more about Lenoardo da Vinci.
 * Leonardo da Vinci (April 15, 1452 – May 2, 1519)**


 * __The Northern Renaissance__**

Erasmus was a Dutch Renaissance humanist and theologian and the author of many books, including //The Praise of Folly// //The Praise of Folly// is sometimes called one of the mot notable books of the Renaissance, which explained the Church's system of abuse of doctrine and corrupt practices. Erasmus was also a Catholic priest with original ideas about transubstantiation, religious tolerance, and the free will of humans. His works of literature included new Greek and Latin editions of the New Testament and guides to Christian life, writing, and speaking, influenced not only the Renaissance, but also the Reformation. His opinions and works reached and helped form the beliefs of men with prominent positions during the Protestant Reformation, such as Sir Thomas More, Martin Luther, and William Tyndale. Erasmus was an influential leader of the Protestant Reformation, a dominant creator of humanist theories, and an author whose works were valued in the Renaissance and Reformation and continue to shape religions and cultures today. Click [|here] to learn more about Desiderius Erasmus
 * Erasmus, Desiderius (1466 - 1536)**

Johan Gutenburg was one of the the greatest inventors. He was not only an inventor, but a printer, goldsmith and a publisher. Gutenburg invented the movable type printing press in 1450. The Printing Revolution, started by Gutenburg's invention, was the most important event in the modern period and greatly contributed to the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Scientific Reformation. This invention helped the spread of humanism, individualism, and secularism travel through Europe, especially Northern Europe. Gutenburg not only created the printing press, therefore created the foundation for knowledge based economy and enabled eduation, literacy, and learning to many more people throughout Europe. Click [|here] to learn more about Johann Gutenburg.
 * Gutenberg, Johan (****1398 – February 3, 1468)**

Sir Thomas More was one of England's greatest humanist, most know for his book //Utopia//. In //Utopia//, More describes an imaginary world where everyone is equal and everyone is tolerated. In this made up place, everyone is educated, they never stop learning, and they live by reason. The book suggests that the basis problems in society are caused by greed. His book provided insight to all that he believed was wrong with society during that time. To this day, //Utopia// is looked to as an ideal society. Click [|here] to learn more about Thomas More and //Utopia.//
 * More, Thomas (1478-1535)**


 * __The New Monarchs__**

The Concordat of Bologna, put in place in 1516, was an agreement between King Francis I of France and Pope Leo X that the pope received the first year's income for the bishops and abbots but the king had power to select the bishops and the abbots. Even though it gave the Pope power, it gave the King much more power. This agreement set a foundation for the Reformation of France. Now, because of this agreement, the king had tremendous power over the church's wealth. Also due to this agreement the church and the state were weaved together through obligation, reward, and responsibility. Click [|here] to learn more information about the Concordat of Bologna.
 * Concordat of Bologna (1516)**

King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella were the monarchs of Spain during the sixteenth century. Their marriage was a political arrangement in order to unify the various kingdoms of Spain. During their reign as the monarchs, they were able to centralize the government in Spain, therefore making it a stronger European power. One of the ways they centralized their power was by unifying their citizens through a single religion, Catholicism. They disposed of the Moors and the Jews, which were the opposing religious groups, during the Inquisition. Their sponsorship of conquistadors allowed Spain to become one of the leading countries in exploration of the New World and helped them gain a large lead in the economic shift from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. By centralizing their power and sponsoring the expansion of Spain to the New World, Spain achieved a new level of political and economic prosperity and thus began the Golden Age of Spain. Click [|here]to learn more about the Ferdinand and Isabella.
 * Ferdinand (1452-1516) and Isabella (1451-1504)**

Henry became King of England after he overthrew Richard III also he was one of the new monarchs of Britain. Henry founded and was the first monarch of the Tudor dynasty. He helped to restore order and established the Royal Council and the Justice of Peace to help govern at national and local levels in Britain. This helped to make England’s legal system more modern and more created peace and order. Henry VII was important because he ended the fight between the Lancaster and York families called the War of the Roses and he founded the Tudor dynasty. Click to learn more about Henry VII.
 * Henry VII (Tudor)- 1485-1509 **

Niccolo Machiavelli was an Italian humanist and writer who is know for his book, //The Prince//. In this book, Machiavelli describes how someone should acquire and keep political power. Machiavelli believed that the ruler's highest priority should be to maintain his authority and should use any means necessary to do so. //The Prince// influenced many political leaders throughout history. Today, //The Prince// is still looked to for references on how political power should be gained and maintained. It is referred to when trying to create a government where politics and personal feelings are separate. Click here to learn more about Niccolo Machiavelli and //The Prince//.
 * Machiavelli, Niccolo (1469-1527)**


 * __The Age of Exploration__**

The Commercial revolution was a great shift from traditional European economics to the mercantile trends of the age of Exploration. This great upheaval began with the age of exploration at around the sixteenth century until the eighteenth, when the great conquests and colonization were underway. This revolution established the framework for society's function for the entirety of the early modern period and defined the relationship between the New and Old worlds, economically. Its many new philosophies of trade and methods continue to live on in modern economics. Click here to learn more about the Commercial Revolution.
 * Commercial Revolution **


 * Conquistadors (1492-1600’s)**

Conquistadors were Spanish or Portuguese soldiers, explorers, and adventurers who gained control of the Americas after Christopher Columbus’ voyage to North America. Some conquistadors sailed for their own personal benefit, while others had government support and a monetary goal. Two of the most recognized conquistadors were Herman Cortés and Francisco Pizarro, who led the conquest of the Aztecs and the Incans, respectively. The conquistadors’ strange weapons and animals and their different European diseases played a large role in killing many natives. The conquistadors were the first explorers to open the Americas for trade, travel, and religious conversions to Catholicism. Conquistadors weakened the social structure of the native people, but they opened up the Americas as a new territory, which led to the creation of many new countries with God incorporated into them. Click [|here] to learn more about the Conquistadors.

Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese explorer, who successfully found an Eastern route to India and returned with spices, cloth, and the establishment of a new trading outpost. Vasco de Gama contributed to the Age of Exploration and Discovery because of his perilous journeys to India. These journeys to India helped Portugal establish trading ports along Africa and India, which allowed Portugal to bypass the Silk Road and gain wealth from the exotic treasures. On da Gama’s voyage, he proved that the Indian Ocean was connected to other seas, which was widely thought impossible. Vasco da Gama was a significant navigator during the Age of Exploration because he aided Portugal in expanding their trading opportunities, which ultimately allowed them to boost their national capital and global presence. Click here to learn more about Vasco da Gama.
 * Vasco da Gama (circa 1460 or 1469 – 24 December 1524) **

** Ferdinand Magellan (1480-1521) **
====Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese explorer who was known for his ship, //Victoria,// that circumnavigated the globe (1519-1522) even after he died in battle in the Philippines. He sailed for King Charles I of Spain to find a new route to the “Spice Islands”. //Victoria// brought back many valuable spices and sparked the interest of new explorers who followed Magellan’s charted course. The full size and shape of the Earth was truly realized as a result of this journey. Magellan’s journey proved successful despite the risks and ultimate sacrifice of his life that he made during the exploration of the Earth.==== To learn more about Ferdinand Magellan, click here.

Prince Henry the Navigator was a Portuguese royal prince, soldier, and patron of explorers. Although he did not go on any expeditions, Prince Henry supported and funded many voyages which created maps of the west coast of Africa and exploration for new spice trades of the indies. He also started his own school of oceanic navigation along with an astronomical observation in 1418. Prince Henry's curiosity and support of expeditions helped begin the age of exploration, and so his fixation of discovery is still dwelling in the minds of people today. Click [|here] to learn more about Prince Henry the Navigator.
 * Prince Henry the Navigator (1394-1460)**

Charles V was a ruler who held numerous titles in the Reformation era, including Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain. His notable reign as Holy Roman Emperor lasted from 1519 to 1556, which saw the splitting of the Catholic Church and the ongoing Italian Wars that saw a substantial increase in the size of his territory. Though he considered himself the defender of Christendom, its unity was shattered within his territory of the Holy Roman Empire, an event that he was unable to prevent due to his subservience to the Empire's princes. Charles' authority throughout Europe was formidable, his role in the outcome of the crucial Italian wars was paramount, but his greatest impact on history was his lack of authority over his own Holy Roman Empire, that lead to the success of the Reformation. Click here to learn more about Charles V.
 * __The Protestant Reformation - Luther__**
 * Charles V (1500-1558)**

The Diet of Worms was a political assembly held in the German town of Worms intended to force the reformer Martin Luther to recant his 'radical' beliefs and save the unity of Christendom. It occurred during 1521, a crucial year in which the population of Germany had digested and accepted many of Luther's grievances with the Catholic Church, and when hostilities against the Church were beginning to grow. The Diet, upon failing to force a recantation, outlawed Luther, which only incited the supportive princes of Germany to act against the decree in his defense. This crucial event represented Luther's final break from Catholic authority, and all of the subsequent world-shattering events of the Reformation were made possible. Click here to learn more about the Diet of Worms.
 * Diet of Worms**

Leo X was pope during the protestant Reformation, a movement whose beginning stages he is responsible for and did not prevent in spite of his authority. Reigning from 1513 to 1521, he bore witness to the final splitting of Christendom as well as the continuation of the Italian wars. In order to conclude the construction of St. Peter's Basilica, Leo X authorized new campaigns in selling salvation and planted a seed of dissent among those who believed core Christian doctrine was being violated. Leo X was slow to react to the growing Reformation and eventually lost much of Europe to its cause. Under another pope the Reformation that ultimately broke the power of the Catholic church may never have occurred. Click here to learn more about Pope Leo X.
 * Leo X (1475-1521)**


 * Luther, Martin**

Martin Luther posted the Ninety-five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences in 1517 on the Castle Church in Wittenberg. Some of the ideas in the Ninety- five Theses were that salvation comes from faith alone and only God can forgive for your sins. A priest cannot grant salvation or forgive sins. These theses sparked the religious debate which helped to fuel the Protestant Reformation, and as a result the Catholic Church lost most of its power and new Christian traditions were born. The Ninety-five Theses limited the power of the Catholic Church by questioning its authority to grant salvation through the sale of indulgences. This questioning of the Catholic Church's and Pope's authority led to the separation and birth of many new Christian religions such as Presbyterianism and Protestantism. Click here to read a modern day translation of Luther's ideas in the Ninety-five Theses
 * Ninety-five Theses (1517)**

The Peace of Augsburg was a treaty between Charles V and the Schmalkaldic League, a group of German Lutheran princes who had created an alliance with one another. The treaty, issued on September 25, 1555, ended the dispute between Catholicism and Lutheranism. This permanently divided the Christain faith in the Holy Roman Empire. The Peace of Augburg had a large influence on the era because it officially gave power and independence to the German princes because they were now able to choose between Lutheranism and Catholicism within their state. The citizens that did not follow the religion of their prince were given time to leave the region and settle in a state that practiced their desired faith. This treaty was significant because it finally ended the struggle between Catholicism and Lutheranism in the German states and gave the German princes the autonomy they desired. Click [|here] to learn more about the Peace of Augsburg.
 * Peace of Augsburg (September 25, 1555)**

John Tetzel, a Dominican friar, was Pope Leo's master salesman. He was the most notorious priest know for selling indulgences, which were signed documents that supposedly abolished all sins from people. Because of John Tetzel's distribution of indulgences to public, the Catholic Church was able to generate more revenue from the money of the peasants, who were the majority of the customers. John Tetzel is important because his actions were the spark that Luther needed to share his Ninety-five Theses. Without John Tetzel's selling of the indulgences Martin Luther would not have the courage at that time to write his Ninety-five Theses, which questioned the authority of the church and led to the Reformation. After Luther posted his work, the sale of indulgences fell greatly and John Tetzel's reputation was forever tainted. Click [|here] to learn more about John Tetzel
 * Tetzel, John (1465-1519)**

John Calvin was a French Humanist who helped the spread of the Protestant Reformation. Calvin was a Catholic but in 1533 he had a “sudden conversion” and understood Protestantism. He started his reformation in the city of Geneva where he reorganized the government to be completely Church led, called a theocracy. His ideas spread all across Europe to France, England, New World, and Scotland. Calvin’s ideas were important because he believed in predestination, which was the idea that before time began God already had decided who was going to be saved which is called the "Elect". Calvinism encouraged hard work and gave merit to all vocations, which greatly strengthened and gave honor toward the middle class and women of the time period. Calvin was one of the most influential reformers during the Protestant Reformation and helped spread Protestantism and led to the decline of the Catholic Church's power. Click here to read more about John Calvin.
 * __The Protestant Reformation - Calvin__**
 * Calvin, John- (1509-1564)**

John Knox was a Scottish clergyman and a leader of the Protestant Reformation in Scotland. Although Knox was an ordained priest, he soon followed the teachings of John Calvin and became Protestant. John Knox reformed the Scottish church by establishing simple services of worship, laying a strong emphasis on preaching, and incorporating Calvinist’s principles. Through his religious opinions, he helped the Scottish Parliament eliminate papal jurisdiction and establish Protestantism as the state religion in Scotland. Through John Knox, Calvinism spread to Scotland and became an even more dynamic religion. The Presbyterian ideals that John Knox established are seen in the United States of America; Presbyterians believe that a group of elders should govern a community, which influenced the making of our national government. Click [|HERE]to learn more about John Knox.
 * John Knox (circa 1514 – 24 November 1572)**

Predestination is a theological doctrine that was first interpreted from the bible by John Calvin. The doctrine of predestination is that all events have been willed by God. John Calvin related it to the dispute of salvation throughout Europe by saying that there is no need to sell indulgences because God has already chosen everyones fate, whether it be damnation or salvation. John Calvin believed that the omniscience of God was above humans free will and that he was the one to choose their "destination." This is important because it gave another view of religion called Calvinism that looked at salvation from yet another view and doctrine. It raised even more controversy throughout Europe between the Catholic Church and the critics like Calvin and Luther. Predestination was a significant interpretation of salvation because it increased people's spiritual fervor due to uncertianity of their destiny in the afterlife. Click [|here] to learn more about predestination.
 * P****redestination**

The Act of Supremacy was an act passed by English Parliament in 1534 that recognized Henry VIII as the "Supreme Head of the Church of England." The act also required an oath of loyalty from English subjects that recognized his marriage to Anne Boleyn because Henry's divorce was not recognized by the Catholic Church. The Act of Supremacy allowed England to break away from Rome and become a Protestant country. This act would lead to many future conflicts throughout Tudor and Stuart England, till finally religious tolerance was made law. This act is important because it shifted England's religious power to Henry VIII, who broke away from the Catholic Church and further expanded the Protestant religion.
 * __The English Reformation__**
 * Act of Supremacy**
 * Click [|here] to learn more about the Act of Supremacy.
 * Click [|here] to read the original version of the act

Catherine of Aragon was the first wife of King Henry VIII of England and was the aunt of Charles V. Before Catherine was married to Henry VIII she was betrothed to his brother Arthur who died less than six months after their wedding. She had many failed attempts of trying to provide Henry VIII with a son until Mary was born and was her only child that survived. Catherine was widely admired for her compassion for the poor by starting an extensive program for their relief and was also the first female ambassador. She also commissioned the book called "The Education of Christian Women" which was about how women should have the right to their own education. Catherine was a devout Catholic who was strong in her beliefs and influenced many women of her time. Click here to learn more about Catherine of Aragon.
 * Catherine of Aragon (16 December 1485- 7 January 1536) **

Henry VIII was king of England from 1509, after his older brother's sudden death, until his own death in 1547. Henry VIII is well known for his six marriages and his role in the separation of the Church of England from the Catholic Church. Henry decided to separate from the Catholic Church when Pope Clement VII refused to annul Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon. So, Henry separated from the Catholic Church and established the Church of England in 1534. Through the Supremacy Act, Henry became head of the Church of England and divorced Catherine. Although Henry remained a Catholic in practice, he rejected papal authority. By separating from the Catholic Church, Henry helped spread Protestantism to England and eventually to the new colonies in America. Click [|here] to learn more about Henry VIII.
 * Henry VIII (1491-1547) **

Mary Tudor was the only surviving child from the marriage of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon and she was best known for her attempt to restore Catholicism to England. After Edward VI's ill death, Mary was proclaimed queen of England in 1553 until her death in 1558. Mary Tudor followed in her mother's footsteps and her husband's, Philip II by making England once again a Catholic nation. She was infamously known as "Bloody Mary" because she killed around 280 Protestants by burning them at the stake during her five year reign. Mary Tudor impacted England by returning it to the Catholic faith, but her cruelty towards her subjects convinced many people to become followers of Protestantism. Click [|here] to learn more about Mary Tudor
 * Tudor, Mary (1516-1558)**

Anabaptism, Greek for "re-baptize", is a faith that was established in the beginning of the sixteenth century. Anabaptists were known for being radical in their beliefs, especially for the sixteenth century, such as believing that only adults could make decisions about their baptism and faith. When entering this faith, all adults were required to be re-baptized because they believed that infant baptism was illegitimate. They also believed in the tolerance of all religions and the idea that church and secular powers should be separate. These radical ideas caused them to be persecuted by all other religions because each religion believed they were right. Violence against Anabaptists was not uncommon and since they didn't believe in bearing arms, they were regularly banished or brutally killed. The Quaker, Baptist, and Congregationalist beliefs can be traced back to Anabaptist beliefs. To learn more about Anabaptists' beliefs, click [|here].
 * __The Popular Reformation__**
 * Anabaptism**

Ulrich Zwingli was the leader of the Reformation in Switzerland. Many of his principles and doctrines influenced John Calvin, who was the religious reformer of France. Through debates that he held with Roman Catholic theologians, he was able to abolish Lent, sever the ties to papacy, and declare clerical celibacy unbiblical. His opinions that the Eucharist was only a commemoration of Christ’s sacrifice and that the baptism was only the public act of accepting someone into the church altered the meanings of outward ceremonies in the Swiss Reformed Church. Zwingli believed that ecclesiastical authority was subordinate to secular power, which can be seen in how he established the government of Zurich. Ultimately, Ulrich Zwingli initiated the creation of the reformed churches that are still dominant in Europe and other areas of the world. Click [|HERE] to learn more about Ulrich Zwingli
 * Ulrich Zwingli (1 January 1484 – 11 October 1531)**

The Council of Trent was an ecumenical council made up of numerous clergy members of the Catholic Church that met during the sixteenth century. This council was started by Pope Paul III in 1545 and met sporadically through 1563. This council defined church teachings that related to Scripture and tradition, salvation, the seven sacraments and many other issues that were the at the core of the Protestant Reformation including abuses of clerical power. The council also stated that the church’s interpretation of the bible was final and anyone who did not agree with it was a heretic. The Council of Trent was the leader in the Catholic Reformation, where the goal was to reform the practices of Catholicism, not the doctrine. The instructions set forth by the Council of Trent are still applied to the Catholic Church to this day. Click here to learn more about the Council of Trent.
 * __The Catholic/Counter Reformation__**
 * Council of Trent (1545-1563)**


 * Index of Forbidden Books**

Ignatius Loyola was a Spanish knight from a noble family who became a priest and eventually a saint. Often calling himself "the pilgrim", he travelled incredible distances to teach the Word of God to many non-believers. As the founder of the Society of Jesus, he helped to hinder the spread of Protestantism in Europe during the Reformation and converted skeptics to Catholicism. He educated people across Europe, Asia, and the New World in Christian beliefs by establishing schools, missionaries, and participating in many charities. The Jesuits, who were members of the Society of Jesus, aided in bringing much of southern Germany and eastern Europe back to Catholicism. Jesuits are still active today in spreading the Word of God to non-believers, thanks to Ignatius Loyola. To find out more about Ignatius Loyola, click [|here].
 * Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)**