in literary terms, it means revival and rebirth of the greek and italian culture, learning, literature, art, painting, architecture etc.. --- notably in germany, france and england
around the middle of 15th century, the turks invaded and conquered most part of the greek empire
as a result, the greek philosophers, scholars and artists started fleeing from Greece and spreading out in other European countries
many of them found shelter in Italy
florence, italy became the center of Greek classical art and literature
by the passage of time, it reached england and found england favourable country for their growth and advancement
greek and italian models then began to be intimated in england