Examine the reasons for the spread of the Renaissance in one European country excluding Italy, Burgundy and Germany.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the reasons for the spread of the Renaissance in one European country excluding Italy, Burgundy and Germany. Reasons may include that travel across the continent became safer after the end of the Hundred Years’ War. There was relative peace in northern Europe in the late-15th century resulting in an increase of trade across the continent and the spread of humanist ideas. The decline of feudalism allowed people more freedom to explore changes in society and new ideas in arts, sciences, and philosophy. Invasions into the Italian peninsula exposed European rulers to Renaissance perspectives and they borrowed ideas from Italy as they looked for ways to increase the sophistication of their courts.

The question required candidates to offer a considered and balanced review of the reasons for the spread of the Renaissance in one European country excluding Italy, Burgundy and Germany. Few responses were seen to this question. However, in some cases, there was limited knowledge of reasons for the spread of the Renaissance. There was some tendency to conflate the Renaissance and the Reformation.