The Power of the Church in Medieval Europe

Social Classes in Medieval EuropeThose Who PrayThe ClergyThose Who FightKnightsThose Who ToilPeasants/Serfs

The Power of the Church in Medieval EuropeMr. LawrenceWestern Civ.

The Authority of the ChurchTwo types of power:The Kings has Political PowerThe Church has Religious Power

However these two types of Power did not stay separate and the Church and Kings would often have conflicting opinions

The Pope is the Rulerof all Christendom

The Structure and Unifying Power of the ChurchThe Church had a strong Structure System, similar to Feudalism, called the ClergyPope - KingCardinals - BaronsBishops - DukesPriests Knights The Church was a unifying power in the Feudal world because no matter your differences you were all Christian

Church Law and its conflict with KingsThe Church had its own Law system called Canon LawThe Church would develop their own court system that could try anyone for breaking canon law. Even a KingThere two most common punishments were Excommunication and InterdictThe Inquisition would be born out of this trial system

The Church and KnighthoodThe Church started the idea of Religious Chivalry that God created Knighthood A good and true Knight should serve GodProtect the PoorFight Only the Enemies of ChristSupport and protect the churchBecause of the constant fighting between the Feudal lords the Church instituted the Peace of God and the Truce of God into Canon LawPeace of God: A Knight cannot fight non-combatantsTruce of God: A Knight cannot fight other Christian Knights