While artists and writers expressed the ideals of the Renaissance, the rise of the educated merchant class in Italy provided concrete evidence that many could benefit from those ideals. And as the economic boom spread throughout southern Europe, Renaissance ideals found new and receptive audiences in other countries. However, northern Europe was more entrenched in the traditions of the Middle Ages and change came slowly. It took a hundred years for Renaissance ideals to cross the Alps and inspire a new generation of humanists in northern Europe, and the brand of humanism they came to practice was not the same as that of the Italians. Northern Europeans were more religiousminded than the secular Italians. So, when they embraced humanism, it was in order to lead a more moral life. They did reject the restrictions and corruption of the church, but they did...