The Role of the Church in Medieval Europe

The Christian Church Takes Shape• Around 30 C.E.: Jesus

teaches to small group of followers

• Romans persecute Christians

• 313 C.E.: Constantine legalizes Christianity

• 395 C.E.: Christianity becomes recognized religion of the Roman Empire

• In the late 8th and early 9th centuries, Charlemagne helps unify the church.

The Increasing Power of the Church• By 1050 C.E.:

– the Catholic Church taxes everybody (tithe) 10%

– is largest landowner in Europe

– has great political power because only clergy could read

The Increasing Power of the Church (cont.)

• 1073-1085: Pope Gregory VII undertook several reforms – forbidding priests to

marry – outlawing the selling of

church offices – banned the practice of

kings appointing priests, bishops, and the heads of monasteries

– excommunicated the Holy Roman Emperor: Henry IV because Henry objected to the reforms

Sacraments and Salvation

• Catholic Church states that to achieve salvation one needs to follow the church’s teachings and live a moral life

Seven Sacraments• Baptism• Confirmation• Holy Eucharist• Matrimony • Holy Orders• Penance • Anointing of the Sick

Pilgrimages and Crusades• Christians went on pilgrimages to visit holy sites and visit relics

• In England many visited the shrine of Thomas Becket

• Pilgrimages were made to Rome and Jerusalem

• Crusades were holy wars to free the Holy Land from infidels

Art and Architecture

• During the Middle Ages most art was made for religious purposes

• As people couldn’t read, art helped tell the story of Jesus

• Cathedrals: were the tallest buildings in town; were named for the chair the bishop sat on; were usually built in the shape of a cross; took 50 –100 years to build.

Education

• Most schooling took place in monasteries, convents, and cathedrals

• In the 1200s, universities develop and teach many subjects including: rhetoric and theology

• Thomas Aquinas tried to bridge gap between faith and reason; created concept of natural law

Holidays

• Holiday comes from “holy day”

• Two of the greatest holidays were Christmas and Easter

Monks, Nuns, and Mendicants

• Monks live secluded religious lives.

• Monasticism• Convents• Illuminated

manuscripts were created by monks by hand and kept knowledge of the past alive

• Friars traveled among the people

Monks, Nuns, and Mendicants (cont.)

The Organization of the Catholic Church

Clergy• Pope• Cardinals• Archbishops• Bishops• Priests