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          The Renaissance had its influence at varying timeframes throughout Christendom having no hard and fast rules for determining it's beginning and ending. This is a difficult era to describe and full of inconsistencies. During the Renaissance, the Holy Roman Empire melted into nationalism. Over taxation was extorted by pardons, various taxes, and indulgences. The people or sheep were shorn. Wealth accumulated into the hands of a few. The rich proclaimed freedom for themselves and yet kept others in virtual slavery. Mercenary soldiers were maintained. The "new freedom" of the Renaissance was marred by city bosses with their corruption and commercialism.
          The Renaissaince shifted from's God's glory to man. Frequently, the phrase "revial for learning" is used to describe the Renaissance, but it is misused more often than not. The humanists desired approval from the ancients and wanted to recreate the ancient world.

  

           Fame and self-aggrandizement was heavily sought, similar to the 20th century's cult of celebrity. Slavery, torture, and a return to magic leading to the rise of astrology/belief in witches were revived from ancient Greece and Rome after years of steady, plodding work of Christians to have it suppressed. In 1399, black slaves are known to have been living in Seville resulting from the trade with the Moors. However, slaves were allowed to keep their dances and festivals. A mayoral was elected from the slaves to protect slaves from masters in courts of law and to settle their own private disputes. Europe's distinct beginning in the slave trade, however, may be said to begin in 1444 with Portugal having conversion being the primary goal of Prince Henry the Navigator. The Arguim islands' fortress was built sometimes between 1448 and 1454 which resulted in trade development between the negroes and the Portuguese. Thus, the institution of slavery resulted from the Portuguese trading with the Moors and blacks themselves and spread from Spain to France and elsewhere.
          Nevertheless, glimmers of hope for freedom and liberty began to reassert itself which gave a foreshadowing of the Great Reformation. John Wycliffe (1324-1384) translated the Bible into the common tongue. Wycliffe's work spread through his followers, the Lollards, to the continent of Europe and in the centers of learning. Richard III of England took Wycliffe's Bible and dispensed justice from God's Law. With the liberty God's Law affords, the middle class in various cities in England began to develop. John Huss (1369-1415) picked up the torch from Wycliffe and carried it further. Christopher Columbus, motivated by his Christian faith and a desire to reclaim the Holy Land for God's glory, sought to find a shorter route to the Indies and discovered the New World. The stage was being set for the Great Reformation.