1. E. Napp The Age of Faith In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms: Roman Catholic Church Tithes Students will also be able to explain two reasons for the power of the Roman Catholic Church during the Middle Ages.

2. E. Napp With the fall of Rome, central government collapsed in western Europe.

3. E. Napp Unity Through Religion Hundreds of little governments replaced the Roman Empire. Western Europeans were not adhering to one set of laws. However, most Medieval Europeans were Roman Catholics. The Roman Catholic Church united the people of Western Europe.

4. E. Napp The Roman Catholic Church was very powerful in Medieval times.

5. E. Napp The Power of Heaven or Hell Medieval people were very religious. They believed that the Roman Catholic Church had the power to send people to Heaven or Hell. Their intense religious convictions led many of them to accept Church teachings.

6. E. Napp The Roman Catholic Church was the largest landowner in Western Europe.

7. E. Napp The Largest Landowner The Roman Catholic Church was the largest landowner in Western Europe during the Middle Ages. Nobles frequently left land to the Church. Nobles hoped to gain entry to Heaven through such good works.

8. E. Napp The Roman Catholic Church was the main center of learning in Medieval times.

9. E. Napp A Center of Learning The Roman Catholic Church was the main center of learning in Medieval times. Usually the only people who could read or write were Church officials. It is important to remember that with the fall of Rome, much secular education ended.

10. E. Napp The Roman Catholic Church was a wealthy institution in the Middle Ages.

11. E. Napp The Wealth of the Church The Roman Catholic Church was a wealthy institution in the Middle Ages. People paid tithes or church taxes. A tithe was a percentage of a person’s total income that was paid to the Church.

12. E. Napp Even today, Christians tithe.

13. E. Napp The Roman Catholic Church united the people of the Middle Ages.

14. E. Napp Questions for Reflection: How did the fall of Rome affect the people of Western Europe? What institution united people during the Middle Ages? Why did this institution unite people during the Middle Ages? Why was this institution wealthy and powerful? Define tithe.