Renaissance

Lucy Wooding introduces a highly significant, but often much misunderstood, cultural force.

What happened when a philosopher, an artist and a ruthless warrior – all giants of the Renaissance – met on campaign in northern Italy? Paul Strathern explains.

R.J. Knecht looks at the ­practical considerations behind the smooth operation of the huge courts of the Valois kings of France.

Vincent Barnett reveals that there is more to Machiavelli than his notorious reputation.

The artist, scientist, botanist, anatomist, engineer, inventor and all-round genius Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) used paper in a unique way.

Richard Cavendish marks the demise of an important Renaissance figure, on March 20th, 1656.

Tristram Hunt finds inspiration for his study of civic consciousness in Tuscany and the lecture halls of Cambridge.

Jon Cook identifies the mix of factors that helps explain the Florentine Renaissance.

Stewart MacDonald introduces the humanist scholar whose writings made him one of the most significant figures of 16th-century Europe.