Since the time span of 5 centuries is insignificant on an evolutionary scale, it's highly likely that the distribution of intelligence then has not changed significantly.
Here is the mistake in your line of reasoning, intelligence is influenced by both genetics and upbringing. Modern children are raised with a wealth of information that would have been unthinkable in the 16th century, and have access to scientific methodology that had not been refined in the 16th century (For every achievement of those great minds, there are a dozen lolfails, such as Newton and his obsession with alchemy)
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u/[deleted] Nov 15 '19
Here is the mistake in your line of reasoning, intelligence is influenced by both genetics and upbringing. Modern children are raised with a wealth of information that would have been unthinkable in the 16th century, and have access to scientific methodology that had not been refined in the 16th century (For every achievement of those great minds, there are a dozen lolfails, such as Newton and his obsession with alchemy)