MEDIEVAL MEDIEVAL CHURCHCHURCH

INTROINTRO Church > central to medieval lifeChurch > central to medieval life Every village had a church with Every village had a church with

a parish priesta parish priestCelebrated sacramentsCelebrated sacraments

Examples?Examples?Preached in LatinPreached in LatinRan schoolsRan schools

VILLAGE CHURCHVILLAGE CHURCH

Social CenterSocial Center Daily Life > calendarDaily Life > calendar Some had relicsSome had relics

Remains of saintsRemains of saints Led to pilgrimagesLed to pilgrimages

Christians paid a tax (tithe)Christians paid a tax (tithe) 1/10 of1/10 of incomeincome

CATHEDRALSCATHEDRALS

Larger churches headed by bishop Larger churches headed by bishop Very ornateVery ornate

Gothic styleGothic style

Women

• Men and women equal before God• On Earth, women were viewed as

weak and easily led into sin

MONASTERIES & MONASTERIES & CONVENTSCONVENTS

People devoted entire People devoted entire life to spiritual goals > life to spiritual goals > monks and nuns monks and nunsBenedictine ruleBenedictine rule

Rules to regulate Rules to regulate monastic lifemonastic life

3 vows3 vows Provided basic health Provided basic health

and educationand education

CHURCH’S ROLE IN SOCIETY CHURCH’S ROLE IN SOCIETY

Pope > spiritual leaderPope > spiritual leader Conflict between pope and Conflict between pope and

monarchsmonarchs Pope had considerable Pope had considerable

economic & political powereconomic & political power Declared papal supremacyDeclared papal supremacy Developed own law (Canon law)Developed own law (Canon law)

ExcommunicationExcommunicationInterdictInterdict

Caused revoltsCaused revolts

CORRUPTION/ REFORMCORRUPTION/ REFORM

Wealth grew, discipline Wealth grew, discipline weakened weakened

Reform neededReform neededLimit secular influence Limit secular influence Revive Benedictine RuleRevive Benedictine RuleFriars preached to poorFriars preached to poor

Most famous > St. Most famous > St. Francis of Assisi Francis of Assisi (Franciscans)(Franciscans)

Jews in Medieval EuropeJews in Medieval Europe Jewish communities all over EuropeJewish communities all over Europe

Spain > center of Jewish cultureSpain > center of Jewish culture As Western Europe became more As Western Europe became more

Christianized prejudice against Jews Christianized prejudice against Jews increasedincreased Movement to Eastern EuropeMovement to Eastern Europe