With reference to Burgundy and Germany, discuss the reasons for the emergence of the Northern Renaissance.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the reasons for the emergence of the Northern Renaissance. Reasons could include that the ideas of the Italian Renaissance spread north because of trade with key cities such as Bruges and Antwerp; although some may argue that the Northern Renaissance had its own distinct characteristics particularly in areas such as architecture which remained Gothic in style. A key reason was the weakening of the Catholic Church and the influence of Erasmus and Humanism, encouraging the development of secular art and literature. Both the German states and Burgundy were very prosperous and wealthy patrons could finance developments in art and architecture that contributed to the Northern Renaissance. The development of the printing press made it possible to disseminate widely the ideas that led to the emergence of the Northern Renaissance.