William Tyler
The Enlightenment

The Enlightenment of the late 17th century through to the early 19th century provided a new way of looking at ourselves and the world around us. It challenged the old ideas inherited from our medieval past; not least absolute trust in institutions such as the monarchy and the Church. The Enlightenment challenged old ideas through the lens of reason—thus its alternate name, the Age of Reason, a period which emphasised the freedom of the individual and the search for answers in every sphere.