The Role of the Church in Medieval Europe Presentation #3.
-
Upload
jordan-clark -
Category
Documents
-
view
219 -
download
0
Transcript of The Role of the Church in Medieval Europe Presentation #3.
The Role of the Church in Medieval Europe
Presentation #3
Roman Catholic Church
Center of medieval life in western Europe
Sometimes known as Age of Faith Most villages and towns had a Church Larger towns had a cathedral Church bells rang the hours, called
people to worship, and warned them of danger
Center of community
Religious services were held several times a day
Town meetings, plays, and concerts held in churches
Merchants had shops around the square in front of church
Festivals, fairs held near the church
Church provided education for some Helped the poor and sick So much a part of daily life that people
determined the proper time for cooking an egg from by saying a certain number of prayers
World events
Thought that storms, disease, famine were punishment from God
Thought that religious devotion would keep way disasters
Fate after death
Taught that salvation came from following the Church’s teachings
The Beginning of Christianity
Followers of Jesus Son of God sent to earth to save
people from their sins Was put to death by the Romans,
rose from the dead In 395, Christianity became the
religion of the Roman Empire
Persecution of Christians
Romans persecuted Christians for their beliefs
Despite this Christianity continued to spread
Persecution ended with Constantine issuing a decree allowing them to practice their religion
Roman Catholic Church
All Christians in Western Europe were part of the RCC
Church was one of the only stable parts of society
Church provided
Leadership Distribution of food Monasteries provided hospitality to
refugees and travelers Copied old texts to keep learning alive Missionaries helped bring converts to
Church
Hierarchy of Church
By high middle ages all members of the clergy had a rank
Pope – bishop of Rome and supreme head of Church
Cardinals – assisted and counseled Pope – appointed by Pope – just below the Pope
Archbishops – oversaw a large or important area- archdiocese
Bishops – governed diocese Within each diocese – local
communities- parish – served by priest
Power of Church
Church acquired great economic power By 1050 Church was the largest land owner
in Europe Some land came
as gifts from monarchs and wealthy lords Force Tithe – 1/10th of money, produce or labor
was to be given to the Church
Latin was the official language of the Church and only common language in Europe
Church officials were often the only people who could read - kept records for monarchs and were trusted advisors
Pope Gregory and King Henry IV
Gregory elected pope in 1073 New reforms
Forbad priests from marryingOutlawed the selling of Church officesBanned the practice of Kings
appointing priests, bishops and heads of monasteries
Henry was angered by not being allowed to appoint church officials
Henry called the council of bishops and declared that Gregory was no longer pope
Gregory responded by excommunicating Henry
Popes influence was so great that Henry begged for forgiveness – 3 days in snow – before he was forgiven and allowed back into the Church
Elevated the Pope’s authority as higher than emperor
Church on Salvation
Soul lives on after death – salvation Salvation – follow the teachings of Church
and living a moral life Failing to do so - condemned to hell Hell very vivid Seven sacraments was essential to
salvation – grace and special blessings Most important occasions in life
Pilgrimages
To Holy Land Rome Churches that housed relics- object
belonging to a saint Cathedral at Canterbury, England Went to show devotion, acts of
penance, or to be healed
Travel was difficult and dangerous Most traveled on foot Many banned together for safety Sometimes hired an armed escort Roads and bridges were built on
popular routes Monks set up hostels- guest houses a
day apart
Canterbury Tales
By Geoffrey Chaucer 1342-1400 Book of verse about pilgrims Tales pilgrims told to entertain other
pilgrims while traveling to the shrine of St. Thomas Becket in Canterbury
Stories include a knight, miller, cook, and prioress – head of a convent
Crusades
Military expedition to try to regain the Holy Land from Muslim control
Occurred between 1095 and 1270 Several reasons for going
WealthAdventureGuarantee salvationDeep religious conviction
Art
Purpose of most was religious Done to help people learn stories
about Christ since people could not read
Architecture
Cathedrals built to inspire awe Tallest building in town Often 30- stories tall Many built in the shape of a cross Long section called the nave Shorter arms called the transepts
Gothic style Cathedrals Built from 1150 to 1400 Rising to heaven Stone arches on
outside called flying buttresses – built to spread the massive weight of the roof and walls evenly
Tall thin walls with more windows
Gargoyles – stone spouts projecting from the rain gutter of the roof – usually in the shape of beasts -
Inside is lined with pillars
Stained glass windows with bible stories depicted
Construction of CathedralsTook from 50 to 100 years to
complete – sometimes 200 yearsConstructed by handExpression of devotion
Education
Most schooling took place in monasteries, convents, or cathedrals
Under Charlemagne rule – education was encouraged
Established new form of writing – using lower case letters
Clergy were most likely to be educated
Students were sons of wealthy nobles studying for careers in the clergy
Spent much of their time with bible passages
Universities
Began in 1200s Studied Latin, rhetoric – persuasive
writing and speaking, geometry, arithmetic, astronomy, and music
Books were hand copied and rare
Church was uneasy about ancient writers such as Aristotle who taught that reason and logic were the path to knowledge
Feared people would question the church’s teachings
Thomas Aquinas
Italian scholar of philosophy and theology
Tried to bridge the gap Saw no conflict between faith and
reason – helped people discover important truths about God’s creation
Natural law – there is order built into nature that can guide people’s thinking about right and wrong
Holidays
Most holidays were connected to the church
Holiday comes from holy day Christmas and Easter were the
greatest celebrations
ChristmasLasted for 12 daysNo trees but people of all classes
decorated with evergreens, holly berries and mistletoe
Attended MassHad a great feast often hosted by lord
EasterDay of church servicesFeastingGames often involving eggs – new life
All holidays MusicDancingFoodWine and aleBaked goodsFried foods
Sometimes holidays includedBonfiresAcrobatsJugglersDancing bearsPlays – mummers- traveling groups of
actors- used masks, drums, dancers, make-believe sword fights
Monks
Joined monasteries – communities devoted to prayer and service – monasticism
Became monks for various reasonsSeeking refuge from war, sickness or
sinfulnessTo studyAttracted to a life of prayer and
service
St. Benedict
Founded the monastic way of life in the 6th century in Italy
Became Benedictines Followed Benedict’s rule Three vows
PovertyChastityObedience
Daily lifePrayer, study, workAttended 8 services a dayCared for sick and poorTeachingCopying religious text
Farmed landTended gardensRaised livestockSewed clothing
Monastery
Laid out in a cloister – covered walkway surrounding an open square
North side Church South side kitchen and dining hall Another side dormitory – sm. Cells
with wood beds Fourth side scriptorium- copied books
Convents
Many women who did not wish to marry joined the convent – monastic way for women
Nuns did many of the same type of work as monks
Many became important reformers
Hildegard of GermanyFounded a conventWrote many letters of to popes and
church officials criticizing practices of church
Religious Order
Brotherhood or sisterhood of monks, nuns, or friars – priests
Each order had its own distinctive rules and forms of service
Mendicants - beggars
Live a religious life without the seclusion of monastic life
SFA founded the Franciscans Traveled among ordinary people to
preach and care for the poor and sick Had to work or beg for food Believed in treating all living things
with respect