2. Overview of Life Seven centuries between Rome and Renaissances Uncivilized period No clear leadership, except for the Church Plagues High death rate Illiteracy Some developments

3. Social Structures Feudalism Central Authorities (Kings) owned land Lords managed land Peasants worked the land

4. Peasants Majority of Europeans Few written records Peasant Uprising of 1381 Feudal Burden Poor diet and sanitation

5. Plagues Bubonic Black Death Many believed God’s judgement was upon them Italy was in the front line Death followed within a week of first symptoms

7. Gregory the Great Papacy, 590-604 Embraces Papal Primacy Seek alliances Saves Rome from Lombards Works to establish a new unity in Europe

8. Christendom Vision of society as one whole Religion acts as a guide Christus Rex Spiritual authority has final word Reaches its fulfillment in 9 th century

10. Charlemagne (Charles) Pope Leo III dubs Charles Emperor Only if a Pope acknowledged a king, would he be seen as legitimate Charles reconstructs Europe Papal States emerge Confederated of nation-states Dubbed “Holy Roman Empire”

11. Power Struggles Struggles between kings and Popes Gregorian Reforms King Henry IV of England disagrees with Pope Henry IV Excommunicated and begs for pardon

12. Gregorian Reforms Lateran councils Pope appoints clergy Outlaws simony Iconoclasm Requires priests to be celibate

14. Monastic Vision From Greek word Monachos meaning “alone” Life of solidarity First Monks live in caves Later develop Monastaries Ascetic (discipline) Life-style

15. History of Monasticism Begins with Anthony of Egypt (252-356) Inspired by Matthew 19:21 Left society to live in solitude in the desert Pachomius (292-346) moves towards the idea of solitude in a small community

16. Benedict of Nursia (480-553) Different communities living by different rules Writes a book that becomes the standards for Monastic life

17. Not a Rejection of the Body Body seen as a means of Salvation Work and pray with the body Take care of bodily needs

18. Balanced Life Style Work Study Prayer Obedience Charity

20. Monasticism in Medieval Europe Prophetic voice amidst changing society Called Church to return to her roots Benedictine Rule becomes the norm Gregorian Reforms make elements of monastic life a norm for clergy Monastic Discipline is extended to the clergy during the Gregorian Reforms

21. St. Francis and the Friars Francis of Assisi Born to Italian aristocracy Called by God to repair the Church Founded a Mendicant (beggar) order Living amongst the people Vow of poverty

22. Females and Monasticism Women also founded monasteries Limits on women though Some women lived beguine life style St. Claire Gertrud the Great