Through the Act of Supremacy in 1534, the English Parliament declared King Henry VIII to be the 'Supreme Head on earth of the Church of England.' This legislative act formally severed ties with the Roman Catholic Church and the authority of the Pope, establishing the monarch as the ultimate religious and political authority in England.

The 'Great Chain of Being' was a fundamental cosmological belief in the Elizabethan era. It posited a strict, divinely ordained hierarchy that organized everything in the universe, from God and the angels down to humans, animals, plants, and minerals. This concept was essential to their worldview, influencing social, political, and religious structures, and is frequently referenced in the literature of the period, including Shakespeare's plays.

George Puttenham is primarily recognized as a literary critic and the author of 'The Arte of English Poesie' (1589). Unlike figures such as Sir Philip Sidney, Sir Walter Ralegh, and Sir Thomas Wyatt, who were prominent courtiers deeply involved in the political and social life of the Tudor court, Puttenham's primary contribution was scholarly and theoretical. While he moved in educated circles, he did not hold the same status as a courtier in the service of the monarch.

Unlike the grand, ornate, and highly complex epic style of 'Paradise Lost', 'Paradise Regained' is noted for its restrained, austere, and 'plain' style. This stylistic choice reflects the poem's focus on the internal, intellectual, and spiritual nature of Jesus's temptation, favoring clarity and directness over the elaborate mythological and cosmic descriptions found in Milton's earlier epic work.

John Milton was born on December 9, 1608, in Bread Street, Cheapside, London. His father was a scrivener, and his upbringing in the heart of London significantly influenced his early education and exposure to the intellectual life of the city, which later became a central theme in his political and literary career.

Anne Hathaway was born in 1556 and William Shakespeare in 1564. This eight-year age gap was notable for the time, as Hathaway was twenty-six and Shakespeare was eighteen when they married in 1582. This discrepancy is frequently discussed in biographical studies regarding their early domestic life.

In Milton's epic, Adam is portrayed as having free will, which he exercises by choosing to eat the forbidden fruit. His decision is a deliberate act of disobedience against God's command. Consequently, Adam is held accountable for the Fall of Man, as his choice introduces sin and death into the world, illustrating the theological concept of human agency.

The Tudor dynasty, starting with Henry VII, focused on consolidating royal power. By curbing the influence of the feudal nobility and centralizing administrative and judicial authority, the Tudors established a more stable and absolute monarchy, which was essential for the development of the modern English state.

The Shepheard’s Calendar, a significant work by Edmund Spenser, was published under the pseudonym Immerito in 1579. This name reflects Spenser's early career and his connection to pastoral poetry, making it the correct choice among the options provided.

The Puritan Period, often associated with the mid-17th century and the Commonwealth era, is historically situated within the broader framework of the English Renaissance. It follows the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras, representing a shift in religious and political focus while still remaining part of the Renaissance cultural continuum.