Life and Death & the

Church in the Middle Ages

Curriculum Outcomes

• 5.8 -Identify the ideals which were espoused during the Middle Ages.

• 5.9 -Distinguish the types of conflict which characterized the medieval period

“Last Judgment” -- 1430

The Unifying Power of the Church

Amidst political, economic and social chaos, the one institution that did serve to bring some unification to the multi-ethnic and multi-lingual territories of Europe was the Roman Catholic Church.

Church Hierarchy

Pope

Bishops

Priests

Pope Gregory I (r.590-604)

-Sent missionaries to many areas of Northern Europe, most notably the Anglo-Saxons of England

-Increased the power of the papacy, not just in the Church but for all rulers

Day-to-Day Life for Peasants

-Birth, baptism, holidays, death – all revolve around the Church

-Mass said in Latin – peasants have no idea what is being said

-Tithes: pay 10% of what you earn to the Church (money, food or goods)

-Were expected to do some work on church land, for which they were not paid

The Wealth of the Church

-Tithes and free labour from peasants increased the wealth of the Church as the Middle Ages continued

-The Church was wealthier than any king in Europe (evidence: huge cathedrals, monasteries, and churches)

Gothic Cathedrals

• From the Goths, Germanic tribe

• Thrust upward / reaching for God

• Large stained glass windows, sculptures, wood-carvings

• Meant to inspire the worshiper

• Nearly 500 built between 1170 - 1270

Cathedrals – Cities of God

Monasteries and Convents

-Begin to be established in the 5th c.-Removing oneself from daily life &

devoting oneself to God-Monks and nuns-Centres of learning; preservation of

Classical texts-the Rule of St Benedict (c.530)-Primary source: Bede (c.673-735),

The Ecclesiastical History of the English People

Ever-present Death1000 Ways to Die• Famine: scarce or rotten crops• War: continuous struggles for power• Plague: no showers, inoculations, or

Lysol• Medicine/Doctors virtually non-

existent• High rate of infant/child death• Average life expectancy: 30 years

The Triumph of Death c. 1562

The Danse MacabreA late-medieval metaphor• Demonstrates how death unites all classes• Acknowledges Death as a companion to life•Encourages living life to the fullest

The Apocalypse• The constant death and hard life led

many to believe the Apocalypse was coming.

• Described in the Book of Revelations

• The Four Horsemen: Conquest (or Pestilence), War, Famine, and Death

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

The Importance of Religion

• Life is short and brutal• People had to believe there was a

better life coming• Religion promised Heaven to those

who showed faith and penitence and lived without sin

• The prevailing notion that the world was created for our benefit was comforting

Different World View

• No notions of science: gravity, atoms and compounds, cause and effect, etc.

• We currently see the world as functioning within a set of scientific rules

• People in the Middle Ages believed natural laws were put in place by God, and could therefore be bent to His will

• Humanity was the pinnacle of His creation, and He cared deeply for us

The Four Humors

Ritual and Superstition

• People sought to invoke the Lord’s favour by performing rituals and following superstitions

• Lengthy rituals involving prayers, oils, holy water, blessings etc. were performed to ensure the success of crops

• Superstitious acts of humility and worship toward “Patron Saints” would summon their aid

Patron Saints

• Saints in Heaven will “intercede” on behalf of God to help people

• Individual Saints are “patrons” of certain illnesses, ailments, countries, cities, people, activities, crafts, classes, etc.

• People would pray to whichever Saint corresponded to their problems

Patron Saints

• Luke the Evangelist – patron of doctors, surgeons, artists, painters, Notaries

• John the Baptist – patron of Saint John, NB, Canada

• Augustine of Hippo – patron of sore eyes

• Anthony of Padua – patron of missing people and lost things (pictured here)

Holy SacramentsDefence against the Dark Arts • Practices used to avoid the wrath of God and

the corruptions of Satan1. Baptism – at birth2. Confirmation – age 12 (ish)3. Confession and Penance - forgiveness4. The Eucharist – body of Christ5. Marriage – the baby machine6. Last Rights – cleanse soul to enter Heaven7. Holy orders – bestow spiritual power to

conduct the other six sacraments (Priest only)

• HERESY

• HERETICS

Inquisition