Answer: historical period taking place in Europe marking the end of Midde Ages. It did not start in the same time in all parts of Europe, also intensity was not the same. Its beginning can be found in Italy (Florence, Tuscany), first figures have still some medieval characteristic: Giotto di Bondone or Dante Alighieri. The beginning of Renaissance is bound with expulsion of Jews from Spanish Granada (1492) and arrival of Greeks from Constantinople (capital of Byzantine empire conquered in 1453 by the Turks). Later on renaissance culture expands beyond Alps and reaches German-speaking lands, England, France. Renaissance is a cultural movement, cultural revolution and change - so, it had its political and ecclesiastical consequences: split between Catholic South and Protestant North. Of course, all that had its conservative reaction ....counter-reformation for ex. (17th century).
Explanation: Renaissance can be defined easily, but it found very different expression in different countries: - Iberian countries, - France, - German-speaking Europe, - Scandinavia, - England. There is a big variety of renaissance culture. What is important renaissance introduces issue of TOLERANCE (religious and political as well), renaissance is also connected to overseas expansion (confrontation with non-European "Other").