Medieval Church Continued..

Explain how the Church shaped medieval life.Analyze how the power of the Church grew

during the Middle Ages and how reformers worked for change in the Church.

Describe the situation of Jews in Medieval Europe

Objectives

The Importance of the Church Priests administered

sacraments, offered assistance to poor and uneducated

Social center of people’s lives

Salvation major aspect of daily lifeRelics/Pilgrimages

Tithe and taxation led to rise of Cathedrals

CathedralsRomanesque Style-round arches and a heavy

roof. Small windows=little light.

Romanesque/Gothic

Gothic StyleDeveloped in early 1100’s.Tall, vaulted ceilings. Large

windows=sunlightFlying buttresses developed to build higherBetween 1170-1270 over 500 Gothic

churches built. What does this say about the economy and

piety of the times?

Examples

Another

Monasteries and ConventsMonks and NunsDevoted their lives

to God and service to othersHealth and

educationMissionaries Academics of the

time

Benedictine Rule530 – Benedict

organized monastery at Monte Cassino

Day based upon prayer and hard work

Three VowsObedience to the

Abbot or AbbessPovertyChastity (pureness)

How did the monastery system improve the economy of the Middle Ages?

Church’s Role in SocietyPope was the

spiritual leader Papal supremacy

Authority over all secular rulers, including kings and emperors

Own territoriesPapal States

PowerCanon Law – based on

religious teachings, governed many aspects of life, including wills, marriages, and morals

Disobey?ExcommunicationInterdict

Excluded an entire town/region/kingdom from receiving sacraments

Corruption and ReformAs power grew

discipline weakenedWealth and positions

of power began to corrupt the intentions of the Church

ReformAbbot Berno’s Monastery

in ClunyRefused to allow nobles or

bishops to interfere in monastic affairs.

Monastic Movement and Pope Gregory VII (1073)Church alone chose

officials (ended Lay Investiture)

Outlawed marriage for priests

Prohibited simony

St. Francis of AssisiEmergence of Friars

example of reform and restored piety.

Founded the Franciscans

Gave up a wealthy life to preach the good word

St. Dominic and the Dominicans

Jews in Medieval EuropeJewish communities all across EuropeJews flourished in Spain Why?Any illness or famine, Christians often blamed JewsAnti-Semitism – Prejudice against the Jews