French Literature Reviews - 2026

B. Bennassar, J. Jacquart, Le 16e siècle
History, Politics and Society

Le 16e siècle

Bartolomé Bennassar

Jean Jacquart

Jean-Pierre Goubert

Annie Gresles

A. Colin

Publication date: 15/01/2020

EAN: 9782200626143

Pages: 528

Shaped by the vibrant intellectual ferment of the late 15th century and enriched by voyages of exploration that brought the Western world into contact with other civilizations, the 16th century emerges as an era rich in events, conflicts, and political, economic, philosophical, and artistic transformations and renewal. It marks the birth of the Early Modern period. The opening decades of the century, distinguished by lofty moral and philosophical aspirations, were followed by a period of turmoil—both political and religious—and widespread doubt on a European and global scale.

Nevertheless, the era remained one of profound innovation: the emergence of the means enabling Europe to dominate the globe, the organization of the state within a national framework, and the assertion of individual consciousness are all foundational elements that the Grand Siècle would later consolidate and expand.

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Table of Contents

Preface: The Early Modern Era: In Search of a Definition (Pierre Goubert)
Introduction: The Birth of the Modern World at the End of the 15th Century

I. Dimensions of the Century
1. Economic Shifts
2. The Spiritual Revolution
3. The Religious Reforms

II. "The Splendid Sixteenth Century"
4. A Global Power: The Empire of Charles V
5. Rivals and Enemies
6. Other Worlds
7. Tensions and Conflicts

III. The Age of Turmoil
8. The Disruption of Balance
9. The Elusive Dream of Imperial Unity
10. France Torn Apart
11. The Rise of England
12. The Clash of Nationalisms

The sixteenth century is widely recognized by historians as a transitional epoch marking the decline of medieval structures and the rise of early modernity. This period saw the expansion of European horizons through maritime exploration and the fragmentation of Western Christianity during the Reformation. Concurrently, the consolidation of centralized state authorities began to reshape the geopolitical landscape of the continent.

The geopolitical dynamics of the era were defined by intense rivalries, notably the vast imperial ambitions of Charles V and the subsequent rise of competing national powers, including England and a deeply divided France. These political struggles coincided with a profound shift in human self-understanding, characterized by the growth of individual consciousness and spiritual renewal. Readers interested in the political, economic, and cultural history of early modern Europe may find it relevant.