Desiderius Erasmus was born in the city of Rotterdam in 1466. Although born out of wedlock, his parents took care of him until their early deaths caused by the plague. He received the best education for a young man of his time from several monastic to semi-monastic schools. He accepted the importance of having a relationship with God but rejected the harsh and strict methods implemented by religious leaders. Poverty forced Erasmus to join the monastery at the age of twenty-six and he was ordained as Catholic priest. With his priesthood and skill with a pen, he entered the service to the Bishop of Cambrai. In order to do this he required a temporary dispensation which was later made permanent by Pope Leo X, a significant honor at the time. In
