The Reformation and the Inquisition:

Cusa was lucky enough to espouse his theories prior to the Inquisition really kicking in bigtime.

Key Paradox Changes in social/governmental structure will simultaneously enable science yet punish those who practice it.

The Reformation (e.g. Martin Luther), begin in earnest around 1510 (and lasts until 1563) While this is largely a complex religious issue (Catholics vs Protestants, etc) its importance for us lies in its creation of new forums to express ideas and a new found tolerance for, specifically, alternate views of Christianity, but more generally for alternate views of Nature.

Some Key Milestones in the early history of the Reformation

• 1511: Pope Julius forms Holy League with Venice and Aragon to drive French out of city;  Henry VIII joins Holy League 

• 1512: Copernicus Publishes that the Earth revolves around the Sun

• 1513: Balboa discovers the pacific ocean for europeans.

• 1516-17: Erasmus translates the Bible into language for the "common man"

• 1518: Frederick the Wise protects Luterh from being handed over to Rome

• 1518-22: Spain conquers Mexico

• 1521: Luther is excommunicated hides out at Wartburg Castle and translates the New Testament into German

• 1521: Lutheran books appear in England

• 1524: Erasmus publishes "On Freedom of the Will"

• 1525: Luher publishes "Bondage of the Will" (against Erasmus)

• 1526: Cardinal Wolsey oversees mass burning of Lutheran books

• 1527: Germans and Spanish sack Rome

• 1527: First Protestant University (Marburg) is founded

• 1529: Turks lay seige to Vienna

• 1531: First official stake burning (Thomas Bilney)

• 1531: Calvin starts Protestant movement in France

• 1533: Pizarro conquers Peru

• 1534: Pope Paul III< the father of 3 illegitimate children, comes to power

• 1534: Luther completes translation of Bible into German

• 1535: Thomas More (author of Utopia) and Cardinal Fisher beheaded for opposing Henry VIII

• 1536: Erasmus dies. Denmark and Norway become Lutheran