Section III: The Church in Medieval Times (Pages ) This section is about: This section is about: How the Roman Catholic Church was a major part of society, providing moral guidance as well as supporting religious communities of monks and nuns. How the Roman Catholic Church was a major part of society, providing moral guidance as well as supporting religious communities of monks and nuns. How the elaborate and costly Gothic style cathedrals grew from the wealth and power of the Church. How the elaborate and costly Gothic style cathedrals grew from the wealth and power of the Church. How European rulers treated Jewish people in medieval Europe. How European rulers treated Jewish people in medieval Europe. (Not that Medieval Times)

We have a lot more vocabulary words in this section again – let’s look on page 280. We should also look at the main ideas. And, the pictures on pages 282 /283

The Importance of the Church The Roman Catholic Church was HUGE during the early Middle Ages. The Roman Catholic Church was HUGE during the early Middle Ages. Nearly every area lived according to the rules of the church. Nearly every area lived according to the rules of the church. It also provided a completely common way of life for all these people (beliefs, celebrations, social activities, etc…) It also provided a completely common way of life for all these people (beliefs, celebrations, social activities, etc…) And they had the Pope – even more important than everyone’s own king. And they had the Pope – even more important than everyone’s own king.

Religion in Everyday Life The Parish: center of village life. The Parish: center of village life. Everyone was there on Sundays and religious festivals (with a Latin Mass). Everyone was there on Sundays and religious festivals (with a Latin Mass). The Priest: usually the only educated man in the village: marriages, baptisms, funerals, teach the rules and values of the Catholic Church, supply food and shelter for the needy, and even run a school for the children. The Priest: usually the only educated man in the village: marriages, baptisms, funerals, teach the rules and values of the Catholic Church, supply food and shelter for the needy, and even run a school for the children. …… ……

Services were paid for by parishioners. Services were paid for by parishioners. They were supposed to tithe (pay 1/10 th of their salary to the church). They were supposed to tithe (pay 1/10 th of their salary to the church). Even higher than a priest was a bishop. Even higher than a priest was a bishop. He was in charge of an entire region (called a diocese). He was in charge of an entire region (called a diocese). It was the bishops job to keep an eye on the priests, and settle possible disputes. It was the bishops job to keep an eye on the priests, and settle possible disputes. Above the bishop: the archbishop – who oversaw many bishops. Above the bishop: the archbishop – who oversaw many bishops. The, their “boss” was the Pope. The, their “boss” was the Pope. All of these are still in place today All of these are still in place today

Religious Communities Some men and women wanted to practice their religion away from the outside world. Some men and women wanted to practice their religion away from the outside world. They lived in monasteries (men) and convents (women). They lived in monasteries (men) and convents (women). Monks: often took a vow of poverty, purity, and obedience to the abbot, and spent their time working for the monastery (usually had a specific job) and praying. Monks: often took a vow of poverty, purity, and obedience to the abbot, and spent their time working for the monastery (usually had a specific job) and praying. Each monastery would have a church or chapel, dorms where the monks would sleep, and building to eat in and work at. Each monastery would have a church or chapel, dorms where the monks would sleep, and building to eat in and work at. …….. ……..

The women (nuns) were at first from well-born women (who’s family could contribute money), but later on could be anyone. The women (nuns) were at first from well-born women (who’s family could contribute money), but later on could be anyone. Convents were run by abbesses (usually from a noble family). Convents were run by abbesses (usually from a noble family). Wealthy people often gave large amounts of money to monasteries and convents (in exchange for special prayers, salvation, or having their soul saved). Wealthy people often gave large amounts of money to monasteries and convents (in exchange for special prayers, salvation, or having their soul saved). With this money, they were hooked into land ownership, and became lords to vassals and peasants. With this money, they were hooked into land ownership, and became lords to vassals and peasants. Because of this, many monasteries and convents became quite powerful. Because of this, many monasteries and convents became quite powerful.

The Roles of Monasteries and Convents Monasteries and convents also became centers for learning. Monasteries and convents also became centers for learning. Many were known for the beautiful books they produced hand-copying each page). Many were known for the beautiful books they produced hand-copying each page). Others were known as hospitals or healing centers, or even places to stay while traveling.. Others were known as hospitals or healing centers, or even places to stay while traveling.. Once in a while, a monk might leave – but usually only to be a missionary Once in a while, a monk might leave – but usually only to be a missionary

Benedictine Rule (about 530 AD) A Holy Man named Benedict organized a monastery in Italy. A Holy Man named Benedict organized a monastery in Italy. He encouraged his monks to lead simple, orderly lives of prayer, study, and work. He encouraged his monks to lead simple, orderly lives of prayer, study, and work. These rules also included a vow of poverty. These rules also included a vow of poverty. Most monasteries started to follow this “Benedictine Rule.” Most monasteries started to follow this “Benedictine Rule.” This sometimes conflicted with the monasteries who had a lot of money and the abbots who ran them. This sometimes conflicted with the monasteries who had a lot of money and the abbots who ran them.

New Religious Orders Some monks started their own religious “orders” Some monks started their own religious “orders” Carthusians: each had their own hut and only had contact with others during services – they didn't even see the people who brought them meals. Carthusians: each had their own hut and only had contact with others during services – they didn't even see the people who brought them meals. The Dominicans (after a Spanish priest – Dominic): considered studying to be very important. The Dominicans (after a Spanish priest – Dominic): considered studying to be very important. The Franciscans (St. Francis of Assisi): lived in poverty (beggars) and traveled around helping the poor and sick. They called themselves friars (brothers), but they also welcomed women. The Franciscans (St. Francis of Assisi): lived in poverty (beggars) and traveled around helping the poor and sick. They called themselves friars (brothers), but they also welcomed women. Most places that had nuns used them to take care of the poor and the sick. Most places that had nuns used them to take care of the poor and the sick.

Church, Religion, and Power The Pope’s power came from: hundreds of years of church tradition. The Pope’s power came from: hundreds of years of church tradition. The Pope held supreme power on earth, and in heaven. The Pope held supreme power on earth, and in heaven. The Pope spoke “with the voice of God.” The Pope spoke “with the voice of God.”

The Pope’s Reach The Pope’s ultimate weapon: excommunication (kicking someone out of the church). The Pope’s ultimate weapon: excommunication (kicking someone out of the church). This meant someone’s soul would not go to heaven, and could not get a Christian marriage or funeral. This meant someone’s soul would not go to heaven, and could not get a Christian marriage or funeral. And, of course, others wouldn’t have anything to do with you. And, of course, others wouldn’t have anything to do with you. The Pope could even ex- communicate and entire village. The Pope could even ex- communicate and entire village. This as also a time in history where most people were very superstitious and afraid of any/all evil forces in the world. This as also a time in history where most people were very superstitious and afraid of any/all evil forces in the world.

Cathedral Architecture The Cathedral (the bishops church) was a symbol of the power of the Catholic Church. The Cathedral (the bishops church) was a symbol of the power of the Catholic Church. Richly decorated, with grand processions, and elaborate ceremonies. Richly decorated, with grand processions, and elaborate ceremonies. During the Middle Ages: were built with a “Romanesque” style architecture, with thick walls, rounded arches, small windows, and heavy roofs. During the Middle Ages: were built with a “Romanesque” style architecture, with thick walls, rounded arches, small windows, and heavy roofs. ….. …..

In the later Middle Ages… Churches were much more open and rose much higher. Churches were much more open and rose much higher. This style was called “Gothic” This style was called “Gothic” Had arches and spires pointing towards the sky (and to God), and beautiful stained-glass windows (so people could see the stories of the bible) Had arches and spires pointing towards the sky (and to God), and beautiful stained-glass windows (so people could see the stories of the bible)

Jewish People and European Economics The Middle Ages was a HUGE time of anti- Semitism (hatred of Jews). The Middle Ages was a HUGE time of anti- Semitism (hatred of Jews). They were usually restricted from owning land and working in most profession. They were usually restricted from owning land and working in most profession. But, no one really bothered them too much if they kept quiet and paid their taxes. But, no one really bothered them too much if they kept quiet and paid their taxes.

One thing the Jews were allowed to be: merchants They were able to keep trading (between Europe and the Middle East) and were responsible for a lot of the nicer things in the world at the time getting to Europe. They were able to keep trading (between Europe and the Middle East) and were responsible for a lot of the nicer things in the world at the time getting to Europe. This eventually made them quite wealthy, and the lords protected them (they needed the trading and banking services). This eventually made them quite wealthy, and the lords protected them (they needed the trading and banking services). If Jews had wealth, it was usually in the form of gold, silver, precious stones, etc… If Jews had wealth, it was usually in the form of gold, silver, precious stones, etc…

Jewish protections ended in the 11 th century Christian traders became more common and successful. Christian traders became more common and successful. The church started to allow Christians to charge interest on loans. The church started to allow Christians to charge interest on loans. The Crusades were about to begin (wars with Christians, Jews, and Muslims). The Crusades were about to begin (wars with Christians, Jews, and Muslims). Many Jews moved from England and France to Germany and Poland, where they’d be left alone (they thought) Many Jews moved from England and France to Germany and Poland, where they’d be left alone (they thought)