Final answer:
The feature not associated with the Renaissance period is the 'decline of science' as the era was characterized by a significant rise in scientific knowledge and innovation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major features of the Renaissance period in Europe include advancements in art, such as the use of linear perspective, a cultural movement towards humanism, and the rise of a meritocratic society. However, the Renaissance was also known for a significant increase in scientific knowledge and inquiry, not a decline. Hence, the option that is NOT a feature of the Renaissance period is d. Decline of science, as this period saw a blossoming of scientific activity and understanding, reviving interest in the natural world and the laws that govern it.