Changes

The fifteenth and sixteenth century was, a period of economic recovery for much of Northern Europe after the wars, plagues, and instability of the 14th century. Trade recovered and new trade routes were established and many cities became fabulously rich in the Rhineland and the Lowlands.<ref>Chipps Smith, Jeffrey <i>The Northern Renaissance. </i> Phaidon Press, 2004), p. 56</ref> Many cities became very rich, especially those in modern Belgium such as Bruges. This period also saw stability and peace in Northern Europe as the great wars of the 14th century such as the One Hundred Year War ended. This and the economic expansion meant that there were more schools and Universities in Northern Europe.<ref> Chipps, p. 5</ref> The growing stability of Europe after the trials of the 14th century meant that there was more contact between Northern and Southern Europe and ideas were transmitted from the Mediterranean region to the North. The growing wealth of the region was to be very important in the rise and the achievements of the Northern Renaissance.<ref> Huizinga, p. 15</ref>

This is because it allowed the local elites to patronize, artists and scholars. In this era, artists and writers could not live and work without the support of the wealthy. The wealth of the elite in Northern Europe meant that there were more patrons for artists and writers and this allowed them to create their masterpieces. The Northern Renaissance origins are associated with the Duke of Burgundy, who were among the greatest patrons of the art in the early years of the Northern Renaissance. The Dukes owned a vast territory stretching from Switzerland to Belgium.<ref> Huizinga, p. 25</ref> They were de-facto independent of the German Holy Emperor and the French King. Successive Dukes were great patrons of the arts and they commissioned many great works of art.<ref>Chipps, p. 18</ref> The Burgundian Court played a major role, through their patronage in the development of Renaissance art and values in Northern Europe. Many wealthy merchants at this time, also acted as the patrons of many artists. This was especially the case in the great Flemish cities in modern day Belgium such as Antwerp and Bruges. Wealthy merchants often commissioned works from local artists and this allowed a great school of Flemish painters to flourish. The Church and the monarchies were also important patrons of the art. For example, Francis II of France was a great patron of the arts and he spent lavishly on paintings and various artworks and he even brought the great Leonardo Da Vinci to his court. Without the patronage of the elites the Northern Renaissance would not have produced as many great cultural works.<ref> Chipps, p. 117</ref>