The Role of the Church in Medieval Europe

Presentation #3

Roman Catholic Church

Center of medieval life in western Europe

Sometimes known as Age of Faith Most villages and towns had a Church Larger towns had a cathedral Church bells rang the hours, called

people to worship, and warned them of danger

Center of community

Religious services were held several times a day

Town meetings, plays, and concerts held in churches

Merchants had shops around the square in front of church

Festivals, fairs held near the church

Church provided education for some Helped the poor and sick So much a part of daily life that people

determined the proper time for cooking an egg from by saying a certain number of prayers

World events

Thought that storms, disease, famine were punishment from God

Thought that religious devotion would keep way disasters

Fate after death

Taught that salvation came from following the Church’s teachings

The Beginning of Christianity

Followers of Jesus Son of God sent to earth to save

people from their sins Was put to death by the Romans,

rose from the dead In 395, Christianity became the

religion of the Roman Empire

Persecution of Christians

Romans persecuted Christians for their beliefs

Despite this Christianity continued to spread

Persecution ended with Constantine issuing a decree allowing them to practice their religion

Roman Catholic Church

All Christians in Western Europe were part of the RCC

Church was one of the only stable parts of society

Church provided

Leadership Distribution of food Monasteries provided hospitality to

refugees and travelers Copied old texts to keep learning alive Missionaries helped bring converts to

Church

Hierarchy of Church

By high middle ages all members of the clergy had a rank

Pope – bishop of Rome and supreme head of Church

Cardinals – assisted and counseled Pope – appointed by Pope – just below the Pope

Archbishops – oversaw a large or important area- archdiocese

Bishops – governed diocese Within each diocese – local

communities- parish – served by priest

Power of Church

Church acquired great economic power By 1050 Church was the largest land owner

in Europe Some land came

as gifts from monarchs and wealthy lords Force Tithe – 1/10th of money, produce or labor

was to be given to the Church

Latin was the official language of the Church and only common language in Europe

Church officials were often the only people who could read - kept records for monarchs and were trusted advisors

Pope Gregory and King Henry IV

Gregory elected pope in 1073 New reforms

Forbad priests from marryingOutlawed the selling of Church officesBanned the practice of Kings

appointing priests, bishops and heads of monasteries

Henry was angered by not being allowed to appoint church officials

Henry called the council of bishops and declared that Gregory was no longer pope

Gregory responded by excommunicating Henry

Popes influence was so great that Henry begged for forgiveness – 3 days in snow – before he was forgiven and allowed back into the Church

Elevated the Pope’s authority as higher than emperor

Church on Salvation

Soul lives on after death – salvation Salvation – follow the teachings of Church

and living a moral life Failing to do so - condemned to hell Hell very vivid Seven sacraments was essential to

salvation – grace and special blessings Most important occasions in life

Pilgrimages

To Holy Land Rome Churches that housed relics- object

belonging to a saint Cathedral at Canterbury, England Went to show devotion, acts of

penance, or to be healed

Travel was difficult and dangerous Most traveled on foot Many banned together for safety Sometimes hired an armed escort Roads and bridges were built on

popular routes Monks set up hostels- guest houses a

day apart

Canterbury Tales

By Geoffrey Chaucer 1342-1400 Book of verse about pilgrims Tales pilgrims told to entertain other

pilgrims while traveling to the shrine of St. Thomas Becket in Canterbury

Stories include a knight, miller, cook, and prioress – head of a convent

Crusades

Military expedition to try to regain the Holy Land from Muslim control

Occurred between 1095 and 1270 Several reasons for going

WealthAdventureGuarantee salvationDeep religious conviction

Art

Purpose of most was religious Done to help people learn stories

about Christ since people could not read

Architecture

Cathedrals built to inspire awe Tallest building in town Often 30- stories tall Many built in the shape of a cross Long section called the nave Shorter arms called the transepts

Gothic style Cathedrals Built from 1150 to 1400 Rising to heaven Stone arches on

outside called flying buttresses – built to spread the massive weight of the roof and walls evenly

Tall thin walls with more windows

Gargoyles – stone spouts projecting from the rain gutter of the roof – usually in the shape of beasts -

Inside is lined with pillars

Stained glass windows with bible stories depicted

Construction of CathedralsTook from 50 to 100 years to

complete – sometimes 200 yearsConstructed by handExpression of devotion

Education

Most schooling took place in monasteries, convents, or cathedrals

Under Charlemagne rule – education was encouraged

Established new form of writing – using lower case letters

Clergy were most likely to be educated

Students were sons of wealthy nobles studying for careers in the clergy

Spent much of their time with bible passages

Universities

Began in 1200s Studied Latin, rhetoric – persuasive

writing and speaking, geometry, arithmetic, astronomy, and music

Books were hand copied and rare

Church was uneasy about ancient writers such as Aristotle who taught that reason and logic were the path to knowledge

Feared people would question the church’s teachings

Thomas Aquinas

Italian scholar of philosophy and theology

Tried to bridge the gap Saw no conflict between faith and

reason – helped people discover important truths about God’s creation

Natural law – there is order built into nature that can guide people’s thinking about right and wrong

Holidays

Most holidays were connected to the church

Holiday comes from holy day Christmas and Easter were the

greatest celebrations

ChristmasLasted for 12 daysNo trees but people of all classes

decorated with evergreens, holly berries and mistletoe

Attended MassHad a great feast often hosted by lord

EasterDay of church servicesFeastingGames often involving eggs – new life

All holidays MusicDancingFoodWine and aleBaked goodsFried foods

Sometimes holidays includedBonfiresAcrobatsJugglersDancing bearsPlays – mummers- traveling groups of

actors- used masks, drums, dancers, make-believe sword fights

Monks

Joined monasteries – communities devoted to prayer and service – monasticism

Became monks for various reasonsSeeking refuge from war, sickness or

sinfulnessTo studyAttracted to a life of prayer and

service

St. Benedict

Founded the monastic way of life in the 6th century in Italy

Became Benedictines Followed Benedict’s rule Three vows

PovertyChastityObedience

Daily lifePrayer, study, workAttended 8 services a dayCared for sick and poorTeachingCopying religious text

Farmed landTended gardensRaised livestockSewed clothing

Monastery

Laid out in a cloister – covered walkway surrounding an open square

North side Church South side kitchen and dining hall Another side dormitory – sm. Cells

with wood beds Fourth side scriptorium- copied books

Convents

Many women who did not wish to marry joined the convent – monastic way for women

Nuns did many of the same type of work as monks

Many became important reformers

Hildegard of GermanyFounded a conventWrote many letters of to popes and

church officials criticizing practices of church

Religious Order

Brotherhood or sisterhood of monks, nuns, or friars – priests

Each order had its own distinctive rules and forms of service

Mendicants - beggars

Live a religious life without the seclusion of monastic life

SFA founded the Franciscans Traveled among ordinary people to

preach and care for the poor and sick Had to work or beg for food Believed in treating all living things

with respect