Inquiry 5Inquiry 5

Christianization of the Christianization of the WestWest

At some point in our lives, we ask At some point in our lives, we ask ourselves questions like:ourselves questions like: Where do I come from?Where do I come from? Is there life after death?Is there life after death? Why do sickness, death and suffering Why do sickness, death and suffering

exist?exist?

Many turn to religion for answers and for Many turn to religion for answers and for comfort during difficult times comfort during difficult times

How did Christianity Establish Itself in How did Christianity Establish Itself in the West? the West?

Christianity, a monotheistic religion Christianity, a monotheistic religion (belief in 1 god) , slowly replaced the (belief in 1 god) , slowly replaced the Roman Empire’s polytheistic religion Roman Empire’s polytheistic religion (belief in many gods).(belief in many gods).

Another monotheistic religion, Islam, Another monotheistic religion, Islam, spread in the Eastern World.spread in the Eastern World.

Each culture had their own values and Each culture had their own values and customs and beliefs.customs and beliefs.

Despite this, they still maintained a Despite this, they still maintained a commercial relationship.commercial relationship.

They also exchanged knowledge of one They also exchanged knowledge of one another’s culture.another’s culture.

Life of Jesus:Life of Jesus: He was born in Bethlehem, Palestine. He was born in Bethlehem, Palestine.

Judaism (mono.) already existed in this region.Judaism (mono.) already existed in this region.

At 30 yrs of age, Jesus experienced a At 30 yrs of age, Jesus experienced a revelation, learning he was the son of God. revelation, learning he was the son of God.

He then travelled throughout Palestine with his He then travelled throughout Palestine with his 12 disciples to preach God’s message. 12 disciples to preach God’s message.

His message focused on brotherly love, and on His message focused on brotherly love, and on the equality of all human beings. the equality of all human beings.

His teachings were successful and his His teachings were successful and his sermons attracted large crowds. sermons attracted large crowds.

Some even said he could perform Some even said he could perform miracles. miracles.

Jesus taught people to follow God alone, Jesus taught people to follow God alone, which worried Roman authorities. which worried Roman authorities.

At 33 yrs of age, he was crucified. At 33 yrs of age, he was crucified. Before dying, he passed the leadership of Before dying, he passed the leadership of

the Christian faith to his disciple Peter.the Christian faith to his disciple Peter. His disciples spread the news of his His disciples spread the news of his

resurrection, which they said occurred 3 resurrection, which they said occurred 3 days after his death.days after his death.

Origins of Christianity: Origins of Christianity: Founded by Jesus Founded by Jesus

Teachings spread by disciplesTeachings spread by disciples

Despite the persecutions endured by Christians, Despite the persecutions endured by Christians, Christianity spread throughout the Roman EmpireChristianity spread throughout the Roman Empire

Roman Emperors finally recognized Christianity:Roman Emperors finally recognized Christianity: In 313 AD, Emperor Constantine converted to In 313 AD, Emperor Constantine converted to

ChristianityChristianity In 392 AD, Emperor Theodosius I made In 392 AD, Emperor Theodosius I made

Christianity the official religion of the Roman Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire and banned polytheism Empire and banned polytheism

What Was The Relationship Between What Was The Relationship Between the Church and Power in the Middle the Church and Power in the Middle Ages?Ages?

As Christianity grew, it created an As Christianity grew, it created an administrative system called the “Church”administrative system called the “Church”

During the Middle Ages, the “Church” was During the Middle Ages, the “Church” was so powerful that it competed with the so powerful that it competed with the kings. kings.

Organization of the Church:Organization of the Church: Definition of church: a building in which Definition of church: a building in which

Christians meet to pray.Christians meet to pray.

The word “church” with a Capital ‘c’ (C) The word “church” with a Capital ‘c’ (C) refers to the institution that embodies the refers to the institution that embodies the Christian faith.Christian faith.

Power of the Church:Power of the Church: Church had a hierarchical structure with Church had a hierarchical structure with

distinct levels of authoritydistinct levels of authority

Church was in complete control of the Church was in complete control of the lives of medieval men and women from lives of medieval men and women from birth all the way until death!birth all the way until death!

Church’s Influence:Church’s Influence:

Church dictated peoples’ beliefsChurch dictated peoples’ beliefs

Made them perform certain dutiesMade them perform certain duties

Instituted sacramentsInstituted sacraments

Set the dates of religious celebrations, which Set the dates of religious celebrations, which regulated life in cities and villagesregulated life in cities and villages

Description of Hierarchy:Description of Hierarchy: During the Middle Ages, the Church’s During the Middle Ages, the Church’s

Organization was broken down into four Organization was broken down into four groups:groups:

1- Pope: Head of the Church and also a 1- Pope: Head of the Church and also a bishopbishop

2- Bishops2- Bishops Responsible for priests, deacons and the general Responsible for priests, deacons and the general

publicpublic One bishop per Christian community in a large One bishop per Christian community in a large

citycity The bishops’ councils, called by the pope, The bishops’ councils, called by the pope,

established Christian beliefs. established Christian beliefs.

3- Priests3- Priests Oversaw religious ceremonies in the villagesOversaw religious ceremonies in the villages

4. Deacons Helped the bishops and priests

The Church and Feudalism After the fall of Rome, in the 5th century, the Roman

Empire split into numerous kingdoms led by kings. The king had lords to help him conduct wars and

protect the territory Superior lords (Suzerains) were given land by the

king in exchange for swearing an oath of loyalty to the king

Inferior lords (Vassals) were given land by their suzerain in exchange for swearing an oath of loyalty to the suzerain

This was the basis of feudalism

Did you know…

Knights Knights were lords who fought on horseback. As

their equipment was very expensive, only wealthy lords could become knights. When they were not at war, knights hunted or participated in tournaments. The tournament was a jousting match, which involved making opponents fall off their horse. It was a dangerous activity and many knights died while doing it.

Mutual Obligations Between Suzerains and Vassals p.160

Suzerain Vassal-The suzerain had to award land to his vassal, who could have it cultivated by the peasants for his benefit. The land was called a “fief”.

-He had to protect his vassals

-He had to administer justice

-The vassal had to fight alongside his suzerain and give him money, if necessary

-He had to advise the suzerain

-He had to find other soldiers to fight alongside his suzerain

Power of the king and Church In feudal society, the Church exercised

major power over the king The king received his power from the pope The kings belonging were managed by the

Church The king respected the pope’s authority or

he would be excommunicated (kicked out of Christian community)

The king donated land and money to the Church to ensure he went to heaven

Bishops advises the king

King

Church

Pope

Bishops

Priests

Deacons

NobilitySuzerainsVassals

PeasantsPeasants

Medieval Social Groups

1. The king and the nobility (suzerains and vassals): Fought enemies to protect the territory and the assets

of the Church

2. The Church (Pope, bishops, Priests, deacons): Prayed for the king and nobility

3. The peasants: 90% of the population Cultivated land to feed the other two groups

How did the Church Influence Medieval Society?

The Church asserted its power by building numerous places of worship.

It also supervised education and controlled science.

The Church cared for the sick and for the poor.

Places of Worship: Kings and lords gave land and money to

the Church The Church was therefore very rich It used these riches to build numerous

places of worship Churches Cathedrals Abbeys and monasteries

Church Cathedral Abbey and Monastery

-The Church was the main place of worship in villages and small cities. This is where priests celebrated religious services.

-It was a shelter for the poor and sick,

and for pilgrims.

-The cathedral was the main place of worship in major cities. It was led by a bishop.

-It was a place for gathering together and for education. It also hosted religious plays, or “mystery plays”.

-It was bigger than a church-Like the church, it was also used as a place of refuge

-The abbey and monastery were reserved for men and women who wanted to live in a community, cloistered from the outside world.

-This is where the monks and nuns lived while they studied, prayed and worked.

-Abbeys were bigger than monasteries.

-Both were used as a place of refuge.

The Church’s role in education, culture and science: The Church only used Latin

The Church forbade anyone from reading books that contradicted its teachings

Ex: The Church taught that the earth was flat, therefore any book stating that the Earth was round was banned (called censorship).

The Bible was the only reference book for education, culture and science As a result science could not truly evolve Ex: The Church taught that diseases were tests

sent by God (Did not promote medical progress)

Teachers were members of the clergy

The students were sons of lords, destined for religious service

They learnt Latin, theology, and philosophy

Did you know... Illumination

Printing did not exist in the Middle Ages. Monks would meticulously recopy Latin texts. These copyist monks often adorned the texts with small vividly-coloured drawings called “illuminations”. The books therefore, became true masterpieces.

Prayer books often contained a calendar that listed the birthdays of the saints and agricultural tasks month by month.

Pilgrimages and Crusades: Pilgrimages

Trips to locations where the remains of a saint’s body (relics)could be found

Main pilgrimage sites included: Rome, for the tombs of the apostles Peter

and Paul Jerusalem, for the tomb of Jesus

Pilgrims were easily identifiable by their clothing: a hat, cloak, walking stick and large bag on their shoulder.

This bag was used to carry provisions and money for the trip. Their most famous badge is the St. James shell which all pilgrims wore, whatever their destination.

Pilgrims often stayed in monasteries.

The Crusades: Military expeditions leading towards Palestine, which had fallen into

the hands of the Muslims.

They were meant to free Jerusalem and Jesus’ tomb from the Muslims.

There were eight crusades in all, spread over the period from 1095 to 1291 AD.

During the first crusade Jerusalem was taken over by the crusaders.

During the seven other crusades, the crusaders again tried to take over the city, which had once more fallen into the hands of the Muslims.

Did you know… Pope Urban II and was the first to call a crusade

to liberate Palestine’s holy sites. He promised the forgiveness of sins for all crusaders who would die along the trip or in combat.

Christians not only fought Muslims in Palestine; they also fought them in Spain in a war called the Reconquista.