Erasmus lived the first four years of his life in Rotterdam. Then he went to Gouda where he visited the Latin School, near the Town Hall. The Town Hall, dating from 1450, was the centre of Gouda, which then had a population of 9000.

Most houses were built of wood, as brick was only used for churches, convents and schools. The market place surrounding the Town Hall must have been a great playground for the young Erasmus and his brother Pieter.