Transcript The Church - Cobb Learning

Introduction
• By 500 AD, Germanic Invasions had all but
destroyed the urban world of the Roman Empire
– Trade Declined
– Cities, bridges, and roads fell into disrepair and
disuse.
– Law and Order Vanished, and education almost
disappeared
– Money was no longer used
– For most, life did not extend beyond the tiny villages
where they were born, lived and died
– Dark Ages
Dark Ages
• Western Europe was so backward because of
this decline that the early part of this period was
once called the Dark Ages
• Medieval- Latin for Middle Age
– Transition between ancient and modern times
• Out of this violent medieval period, or Middle
Ages, a dynamic civilization arose.
– Combined elements classical and Germanic cultures
with Christian beliefs
Medieval Life Review
• Feudalism- highly decentralized form of
government that developed in western Europe.
Stressed alliances of mutual protection between
monarchs and nobles of various degrees of
power.
– Land given to nobles in exchange for loyalty and
military aid
• With the land came peasants to farm it
• Nobles also had powers over land usually reserved for
governments
Medieval Church
• The decline of Rome led the church to
assume many political and social tasks
– Bishop of Rome, now the Pope, became the
strongest political leader in W. Europe.
– The Pope claimed spiritual authority over all
Christians
– After the fall of Rome…the church takes on
the central authority
Religious Role
• Church taught all were sinners
• Only way to receive grace was through
sacraments
• Most people did not understand rituals
– Priest spoke in Latin and most could not read
or write
• Much was learned from statues, paintings and
stained glass windows that adorned most churches
Church teachings
• Super Huge Concept:
• There is heaven and there is hell
• Lead a good life and follow church laws
and you will go to heaven
• Otherwise…How would you live your life if
you knew you were going to one of these
places when you died?
The Church in the Middle Ages
Super Huge Fact:
• The Church was the single most powerful
organization in western Europe during the
Middle ages
• Dominated peoples lives, from peasants to kings
Manorialism
Feudalism
THE
CHURCH
How did the Church get so powerful?
1. By being incredibly organized
2. By gaining wealth and political power,
greater than some kings!
3. By spreading its teachings all over
western Europe
Church Wealth
• Kings and nobles donated land or left it to
the Church when they died
• Everyone tithed--paid taxes for services
provided by Church
• Church became the biggest landowner
• Land=Wealth in the Middle Ages!!
Church organization
• Pope in Rome
• Archbishops (regions)
• Bishops (major cities)
• Priests (manors and villages)
• Monks and nuns (monasteries)
– Religious community
Influence of Monastics
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Provided school for young
Hospitals for sick
Food for needy
Some became missionaries
Power of Church
• Many Bishops and Abbots were nobles
who received land
• Local lords began to control many church
offices and lands- contrary to church
tradition- appointing leaders
– Signs of corruption
Importance of priests
• Priests were very
important in spreading
Christian teachings to
every day people
• One on every manor
• Made sure they were
following canon law —
church laws that guided
behavior
What did priests do?
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Mass on Sunday
Weddings and baptisms
Talk to villagers about their problems
Bury the dead
Heal the sick
Teach reading and writing
Collect tithes
Keep all village records
The Church in the Middle Ages
• Religion was a huge part of everyday life
• People were Christian/Roman Catholic
• People were loyal to the
Pope-- the head of the
Roman Catholic Church
• Freedom of religion was not a huge concept
Church Reform
• Many devout Christians called for reforms
– Began in monasteries
• Goal of reforms:
– Free Church from control of feudal lords
• Reforms:
– Pope would be chosen by cardinals
– Pope would appoint bishops and other
officials
Fighting Heresy
• Pope Innocent III- condemned
drunkenness, feasting, and dancing
among clergy
• Stop spread of heresy (denial of basic
church teachings)
– Convert first/ crush later
The Inquisition
• Court set up to seek out and punish
heretics
– Many accused without proof
• Punishments- prison or death
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZegQYgygdw
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tym0MObFpTI