Periodization Early Middle Ages: 500 – 1000 High Middle Ages: 1000 – 1250 Late Middle Ages: 1250 - 1500
Europe in the 6c
The Medieval Catholic Church filled the power vacuum left from the collapse of the classical Roman world.
The Medieval Church Secular Clergy Regular Clergy
The Medieval Church
The Medieval Church Clergy: officials of the Church Secular Clergy: “in the world” Cardinals Archbishops Bishops Parish Priests Regular Clergy: special vows religious order Men Monastery Abbots Monks Friars Women Convent Abbess Nun
The Medieval Church Secular Clergy Regular Clergy
The Medieval Church Regular Clergy
The Medieval Catholic Church filled the power vacuum left from the collapse of the classical world. monasticism (regular clergy): St. Benedict – Benedictine Rule of poverty, chastity, and obedience. provided schools for the children of the upper class. inns, hospitals, refuge in times of war. libraries & scriptoria to copy books and illuminate manuscripts. monks missionaries to the barbarians. St. Patrick, St. Boniface
A Medieval Monk’s Day
A Medieval Monastery: The Scriptorium
A Medieval Monastery: The Scriptorium
Illuminated Manuscripts
Illuminated Manuscripts
The Medieval Church Secular Clergy Regular Clergy
The Medieval Church Secular Clergy Role of the Secular Clergy: Oversaw the spiritual life of the community Conducted church services Performed sacraments
The Medieval Church Sacraments: ceremonies that bind a believer to God baptism (cleanses soul of stain of Original Sin), confirmation (rite admitting layman to full communion in Church), Holy Communion=Eucharist=Mass(reenactment of the Lord's Supper; by 1215 as a miraculous reenactment of Christ's sacrifice in which the consecrated wafer becomes the actual body of Christ and the wine become His blood=transubstantion),
The Medieval Church Sacraments: marriage (as a sacrament marriages are indissoluble=no divorce allowed, although marriages can be annulled, reconciliation, consisting of confession and penance, ordination (consecration of individuals into the priesthood), last rites=extreme unction (washing away sins of a person in danger of dying).
The Power of the Medieval Church bishops and abbots played a large part in the feudal system. the church controlled about 1/3 of the land in Western Europe. tried to curb feudal warfare only 40 days a year for combat. denial of sacraments to believers
The Power of the Medieval Church curb heresies obstinate holding by a baptized Christian of wrong beliefs (=conflicting with Church doctrine) about matters of faith that have been authoritatively decided by the Church crusades; Inquisition tithe 1/10 tax on your assets given to the church. Peter’s Pence 1 penny per person paid by the peasants.
Romanesque Architectural Style Rounded Arches. Barrel vaults. Thick walls. Darker, simplistic interiors. Small windows, usually at the top of the wall.