The Church impacted all aspects of life in the Middle Ages: religion, government, education, communication, warfare and daily life.
Church & Feudalism
o Kings/lords depended upon educated clergy to fill positions in court
o So, clergy gained great political influence
o Owned vast amounts of land
o Influenced marriage contracts and knighthood cermonies
o Used authority to reduce feudal warfare (during Crusades, fighting not allowed Fri.-Sun. & religious holidays)
o Tried to enforce periods of peace – “Peace of God”
o Demanded that nobles avoid harming non-combatants & clergy
Ø The last 3 contributed to decline of warfare in 1100’s
The Church
o A force for civilization
o Made Christian values a part of every day life
o Helped preserve ancient learning
o Pope was spiritual leader of Christendom
o Mission was to save souls
o Used harsh measures to keep people in line
o Excommunication = denial of the sacraments to those who disobeyed the Church
ü Those people lost their property & were treated as outcasts
ü King who defied Church - subjects freed & released from feudal obligations
o Inquisition = a special court set up to try people accused of heresy
Þ If guilty, burned @ stake
Þ If admitted, could ask for mercy, Church officials would decide yes or no
o Charlemagne helped to develop system of rural parishes
o Charlemagne introduced reforms that ensured parish priests could read and write
o Missionaries gain many converts
o 1st Crusade increased their power
o Diocese = a group of parishes administered by a bishop
o Tithe = tax paid to the Church each year, usually 10%
o Usury = lending money for interest
Church hierarchy
o Pope
o Emperor/king
o Archbishops/bishops
o Nobles/patricians/lords
o Priests – rich & common
Teachings
o Life on earth less important than salvation & everlasting life in heaven
o Salvation was possible through the sacraments, 7 sacred rites, administered by parish priest
o God is responsible for position in life, talents, abilities and your fate
o People were to live a simple life, material possessions not important
o Society was more important than the individual
o Self-sacrifice was necessary
o Acceptance of life as it was – no complaining
Monasteries & convents are centers of learning
o Monks & Nuns dedicated to hard work, prayer & worship
o Outstanding religious music composed here
o Some felt they needed to withdraw from the world to focus on God
o Different orders with different teaching emphases developed
o Monks could own nothing - humility
o Women could not be priests, only nuns
o Some religious orders helped improve medieval life:
ü Agricultural techniques
ü Herb gardens & medical knowledge
ü Cared for sick orphans, homeless
ü Welcomed travelers
ü Set up schools, usually for nobles’ kids
Þ Some monasteries grew rich and careless
Challenges to Church Authority
o Clergy out of control – reject vow of poverty & obedience – corruption & immorality rampant
o Simony = the buying & selling of church offices (Cluny stopped this)
o Heretics campaigned against church teachings
o Competed with kings/lords for political power
Jews
Þ had few rights
Þ 1st lords granted communities, then accused them of killings Christian children
Þ mob attacks by Christians & forced to leave
Þ Were mob attacked by Christians & forced to leave
Crusades
See your notes
Attempts to Reform
Francis of Assissi
Cluny