1. Interactive Notebook Setup
11/21/2017
Medieval Catholic Church Notes
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2. Rise of the Church
Church Power
Art and Architecture

3. Rise of the Church
The decline of Rome led the church to assume many political and social tasks
The Pope became the strongest political leader in W. Europe
The Pope claimed spiritual authority over all Christians
After the fall of Rome…the church takes on the central authority

4. Rise of the Church
The Church taught that salvation, or the saving of a person’s soul, would come to those who followed the Church’s teachings
Church taught all were sinners
Only way to receive grace was through sacraments

5. Rise of the Church
Daily presence in a person’s life from birth to death
Most people did not understand rituals
Priest spoke in Latin and most could not read or write
Much was learned from statues, paintings and stained glass windows that adorned most churches

6. Church Hierarchy
Just like the social structure of feudal Europe, the Catholic Church had a distinct hierarchy.
All together, we call the church workers “the clergy.”
POPE
Cardinals
Bishops
Priests
Monks and Nuns

7. Church Power The Roman Catholic Church was
the largest landowner in Western
Europe.
Nobles frequently left land to the Church to gain entry to Heaven through such good works.

9. Church Power Many Bishops and Abbots were nobles who received land
Local lords began to control many church offices and lands- contrary to church tradition- appointing leaders
Signs of corruption

10. Church Power
The Church was often the wealthiest institution in all of Europe
People paid tithes or church taxes
A tithe was a percentage of a person’s total income that was paid to the Church

11. Church Power The offer of salvation gave the church great power
Life was generally hard and not very pleasant so the promise of something better was a powerful for people

12. Church Power
The Church was often the only path to an education in the Medieval world
Usually the only people who could read or write were Church officials
People looked to the Church to explain things like natural disasters

13. Church Power
Monastic life provided women opportunity to pursue education, art, and hold positions of power
The church helped poor and sick
Many monasteries provided meals and clothing for those in need
Almost all hospitals in Europe were associated with the Church

15. Church Power Church building was the center of communities
Marriage certificates, birth certificates, death certificates, etc. came from the Church

17. Art and Architecture
In larger towns there would be a cathedral: a large or important church.
Usually, a bishop is in charge of a cathedral
Religious services were held several times per day

18. Art and Architecture
Church was NUMBER ONE supporter of Art in W. Europe
Impressive churches and works of art served two major purposes:
A way to glorify god
A way to display the power of the Church