Christianity and Medieval Society It is not just about religion anymore…
Religious Influence
Service to the Church Monastic Life (structured life devoted to service to God) Benedictine Rule –Vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to abbot Convents –The other choice for women
Powers of the Church Sacraments –All rites of passage in a persons life are overseen by the Church Excommunication –Follow their rules or you will be asked to leave Interdict –Follow their rules or your whole community will be asked to leave Salvation –Promise of afterlife is still held by the church (sins & forgiveness)
Political Influence
Beyond Religious Matters… Land ownership –Papal States (area around Rome) were governed by the Church (it was a lord) –Any monastery or church was considered part of church land ownership Ecclesiastical Courts –Canon law develops, cases involving marriages, wills, contracts, orphans, widows and the clergy were tried in “Church” courts Feudal Warfare –Truce of God – Tried to get people to stop fighting so much amongst themselves ( fighting was prohibited on certain days of the week and holidays) Supremacy –Conflict over political power – who has more the king or the pope?
Economic Influence
Money Matters Church taxes –Tithe, 10% of income is required to be donated Purchase of church offices –Simony—buy, sell church offices Indulgences –Purchase final salvation for relatives who sinned during their life Advancements in agriculture –Monasteries are also self-sufficient communities but they strive to do better so they improved some farming methods
Social Influence
Where else to go? There is no centralized government so… Momentous occasions in a person’s life –Birth, marriage, death…go to church Community activity –The medieval version of “communication time” –Festivals, entertainment, prayer Assistance –Hospitals are created and run by the monasteries, that is also the place to go if you need help because you are poor, lost, aged or sick
Intellectual Influence
Church promoted learning –Maintained schools, monks founded the first universities –Educated young men for priesthood –Some women in convents also were educated Copying books and manuscripts –Preserved Greco-Roman culture (antiquity) Literature influenced –Who else could read and write? Literature contains religious themes
Artistic Influence
Art reflects society Illuminations –Highly decorated texts –Ex. Book of Kells Gothic Cathedrals –Taller, more decorative churches than ever before –Provide economic, social boom for an area –Ex. Chartres Cathedral