17tallet

17tallet, commonly written as the 17th century in English, refers to the period roughly 1601 to 1700 in the Gregorian calendar. In Nordic usage the form 17tallet or 17-tallet is used to denote this era; it is part of the Early Modern Period and marks a transition from the late Middle Ages to modern statecraft, science, and culture.

The century featured significant political and religious transformations. The Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) reshaped Central Europe and ended with the Peace of Westphalia, which helped establish the concept of state sovereignty. In England, civil war (1642–1651) led to a republican period and later the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, with the Glorious Revolution of 1688 reinforcing constitutional limits on royal authority.

Science and culture also advanced markedly. The scientific revolution gathered pace with figures such as Galileo, Kepler, Descartes, and Newton, driving progress in astronomy, mathematics, and natural philosophy. Baroque art and architecture spread across Europe, and literature flourished with authors like John Milton in England and Molière in France.

Economically, global trade networks expanded. The Dutch East India Company (founded 1602) and the English East India Company (founded 1600) symbolize the era’s mercantilist and colonial ventures. These networks facilitated sustained transoceanic exchange, including the beginnings of the Atlantic slave trade, which would have profound long-term consequences.

Regional notes: In Denmark-Norway and Sweden, monarchies centralized power and engaged in frequent warfare, while Russia began significant reforms near the century’s end under Peter the Great. The 17th century thus shaped modern governance, science, and global connections, laying groundwork for the Enlightenment and the early modern world.