Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci was an Italian renaissance polymath who was married to a peasant woman, Catarina. Although he was Italian, he had a big influence on the French renaissance. He was a painter, sculptor, architect, musician, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist, and writer. He truly was the epitome of the “Renaissance Man”. He drew the Vitruvian Man, and the Mona Lisa.
1477 – Burgundy
In 1477, the region of Burgundy became the musical center of Europe. All of the most famous French musicians were either from, or performed and practiced in Burgundy. Most European 15th and 16th century music was focused on Burgundy style tempos.
1483 – Charles VIII comes into power
Charles VIII (a.k.a. The Affable) ruled over France from 1483 to 1498. His reign was cut short because of a fatal accident. He hit his head on a door knob, fell into a coma instantly, and died from a subdural hematoma 9 hours later. He was born in June 1470 and died in April 1498 at the age of 28. He had succeeded his father at age 13.
1494 - Francois Rabelais born
Francois Rabelais was born in 1494 and died in 1553. He was one of the greatest writers not only in France, but all over the world. He is commonly considered one of the greatest literature pioneers also. He was a French renaissance man and wrote many humorous and ironic plays. Shakespeare thought of him as one of his inspirations.
1515 - Francois 1er comes into power
Francois 1er was born in 1494 and died in 1547. He ruled over France from 1515 to his death in 1547. He played a very important role in sparking the French Renaissance by attracting Italian Artists like Leonardo da Vinci to France. He also promoted and standardized the French language. He was a firm supporter of Jaques Cartier and his explorations into North America. During his reign, he persevered in the long military conflict between France and