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 – 1/10 th 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 marrying Outlawed the selling of Church offices Banned 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 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 Wealth Adventure Guarantee salvation Deep 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 Cathedrals Took from 50 to 100 years to complete – sometimes 200 years Constructed by hand Expression 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

Christmas Lasted for 12 days No trees but people of all classes decorated with evergreens, holly berries and mistletoe Attended Mass Had a great feast often hosted by lord

Easter Day of church services Feasting Games often involving eggs – new life

All holidays Music Dancing Food Wine and ale Baked goods Fried foods

Sometimes holidays included Bonfires Acrobats Jugglers Dancing bears Plays – 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 reasons Seeking refuge from war, sickness or sinfulness To study Attracted to a life of prayer and service

St. Benedict Founded the monastic way of life in the 6 th century in Italy Became Benedictines Followed Benedict’s rule Three vows Poverty Chastity Obedience

Daily life Prayer, study, work Attended 8 services a day Cared for sick and poor Teaching Copying religious text

Farmed land Tended gardens Raised livestock Sewed 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 Germany Founded a convent Wrote 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