Changing Attitudes towards the Catholic Church

Review Review! These thoughts are not new How did the growth of trade change feudal society in Europe? How did the technologies of war affect society in Europe? What were the causes of social upheaval? How were the attitudes towards the catholic church changing?

Thinking back What role had the church played in people’s lives up to this point?

Pilgrimages The church encouraged people of all classes to go on a pilgrimage A journey to a sacred place or shrine Some lasted months or years People would pray at holy sites for a better chance to go to heaven The sites would charge money for people to come in and In turn became a source of revenue

Some famous destinatoins St. James Cathedral Spain

Canterbury Cathedral England

Jerusalem Rome

New Cathedrals Up to this point churches were fairly small Using a flying buttress builders could go higher than ever before This was the beginning of Gothic design (steep roofs and pointed arches)

Religious unrest During the 14th century people began to question the absolute authority of the church Plague War Riots Taxes Education (the bible was only in Latin at this point) John Wycliffe (oxford professor) taught that priests, bishops, and even the pope had no right to tell people what to believe He believed the only way to salvation was by following his or her own conscience

Wrap up The church tried to stop these ideas but the middle ages were ending and the renaissance of Europe was soon to come

How did each of these effect Change? Trade War Major Changes in Society Religion Technology Revolt/ Riots Plague