The hottest Renaissance Substack posts right now

The internet is a big experiment we're all part of, and everyone can contribute to how it turns out. Your actions online can shape this space, so don't just sit back and watch!
Blogging is like a block party where everyone is welcome. More voices can make the experience richer, so don't be afraid to jump in and share your thoughts.
There's a chance for everyone to be heard on the internet. Even if you think no one will listen, your unique perspective might be just what someone else is looking for.

A small paper fragment attributed to Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa bears the Latin phrase "est rete infra rete," which can be read as "There is a net beyond the net."
Interpreters propose this phrase is the earliest documented allusion to the Hinternet, potentially pushing its origins back centuries earlier than the previously claimed 1915 date.
This discovery forces a revision of earlier historical reconstructions and demands careful analysis to understand what Agrippa might have meant.

The Medici family in Florence rose from humble beginnings as moneylenders to become powerful rulers and art patrons during the Renaissance. They changed how people saw wealth, showing that money could bring honor.
Florence was unique for its time, prioritizing trade and commerce over noble lineage, which allowed wealthy merchants to gain influence in politics. This shift in power dynamics changed the course of the city.
Despite their success, the Medici had to navigate a dangerous political landscape, facing enemies and rival families, which ultimately led to intrigue and violence in their quest for power.

By the late 1500s Europeans began to see their own time as an age of discovery and invention instead of a pale imitation of classical greatness. This new outlook planted the idea of historical progress.
Artists and printmakers celebrated everyday technologies and workshops to show how specialization, division of labor, and the combination of inventions produced wealth and improved life. Those images emphasize practical, sociable work and what later economists call Smithian growth.
Later reinterpretations flip that optimism into skepticism, highlighting impersonal infrastructure, invisible labor, and environmental and social costs. Modern views often question unqualified praise of science and technological progress.

Modernity began earlier than commonly assumed—starting around 1200—and by about 1600 it had taken root in some places while remaining unevenly distributed across the world.
Wider information flows—printing, trade, archives, and the ability to compare texts and ideas—were the main engines that made people more reality-focused and drove intellectual and institutional change.
A new postmodern phase is emerging as complexity outpaces centralized control, producing bottom-up adaptations (underground economies, social media hacks, informal governance), and this may follow a multi-century cycle after modernity’s rise.

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Reading and literacy are changing, and many people seem less interested in understanding where their information comes from. This could mean we're heading back to a time when knowledge is just for a few elite people instead of everyone.
Our relationship with reading might be vital right now, especially in a world filled with distractions. We should focus on the best literature and ideas to maintain the depth of our reading experience.
It's important to share the value of reading with others. Like early believers sharing their faith, we must show people how reading has transformed our lives and encourage them to experience that too.

Marriage in the past often involved complicated discussions about money and family, just like today. The way partners handle these issues can lead to tensions.
People in earlier times were concerned about remarriage and family dynamics, especially due to high mortality rates. They thought about how relationships would impact their children in the future.
Age played a significant role in marriage decisions. For example, marrying young was less common by the Elizabethan period, showing changing views on when to start a family.

Jacobean playwrights focused heavily on violence in their works. They included gruesome details in their plots and often depicted murders, reflecting a fascination with horror rather than just sadness.
Barnabe Barnes, a playwright, attempted poisoning in real life, which adds a dark twist to his violent plays. His own history of violence helped shape the themes in his writing.
Many writers from the Renaissance period were involved in violent acts, whether as victims or perpetrators. This era was marked by brawls and rivalries, contributing to a more dangerous literary world compared to today.

The writer is interested in exploring various literary questions, like how age and gender impact the works of historical writers.
There will be a focus on Renaissance literature, especially famous writers like Donne and Shakespeare, but topics will also expand beyond that.
Interesting and unusual stories about the lives of Renaissance writers will be shared, highlighting unique events and decisions they made.

The Codex Arundel is a collection of Leonardo da Vinci's writings and drawings, showing his wide-ranging interests in math, engineering, and nature. It's written in a special left-handed mirror script, which makes it unique.
Leonardo's work in the codex emphasizes observation and experimentation. He wrote about scientific principles through careful study of the natural world and practical experiments.
The codex is important for understanding both art and science, showing how Leonardo blended these fields. It inspires modern thinkers by highlighting the value of connecting different areas of knowledge.

The Tudors used art and fashion to show their power. Objects like Henry VIII's armor showcased their authority and the wealth of the crown.
Importing talented artists from Europe helped England grow culturally. The artists brought new skills that enriched English art during the Tudor period.
Some artists experimented with their styles and symbols in their portraits. This creativity reflected the vibrant and imaginative culture of Shakespeare's time.