Transcript Medieval Religion (800—1300)

The Broad Strokes:
Highlights of the
Medieval Period
Europe in 1555
Medieval Religion (800—1300)
The Christian Church was the center of
everything. People lived according to their
beliefs of the Church.
The Church’s head was the Pope.
In 800 AD, the Pope crowned a German King
Holy Roman Emperor to protect the Church
from outside religions.
His name was Charlemagne (742—814) or
Charles the Great.
Medieval Religion (800—1300)
Charlemagne believed his coronation meant
that he would be equal to the Pope’s
authority.
Thus, there would be two rulers that people
could follow—a secular (of the state) or
clerical (of the church).
This led to dozens of years of struggle
between Pope and King as to whom had the
ultimate authority to rule.
Medieval Society (800—1300)
Early European society was centered
around Feudalism, a system whereby
peasants worked and lived on land
owned by a King’s relative or friend
(Lord). This landlord would give them
protection.
This is an image of a Lord and a
peasant:
Medieval Society (800—1300)
Feudalism lasted until cities began to grow.
Cities grew because peasants wanted to
make choices in their lives (ex. To make $ !)
Until this point, peasants believed their lives
were controlled by God. They would only live
a short life on earth and then spend an
eternity in Purgatory (judgment) after death.
Only Saints would enter into Heaven.
Medieval Crises (1300—1400)
There were three Crises in the 14th and
15th Centuries:
The division between Church and State,
otherwise known as the Papal Schism
The 100 Years War between France and
England
The Black Death or the Bubonic Plague
The Papal Schism
The Papal Schism
There has always been a struggle between
King and the Pope.
The Pope did not want the clergy to be taxed.
As a result, in France, King Philip IV captured
the Pope (Boniface VIII) and forced the
Papacy to be controlled from Avignon.
Rome responded by electing a new Pope.
Result: 2 Popes.
People did not know which Pope to place
their faith, so many gave up on salvation
altogether.
The 100 Years War
The 100 Years War (1337—1450)
Fought between England and France.
All battles fought on French territory.
It was fought over land.
Both sides supported the Scorched Earth
Policy—destroy everything, leaving nothing
for your enemy.
France lost most battles because of their
Chivalric code, a code of behaviour for
knights.
Result: much of the land was destroyed,
many cities devastated, lives were lost.
The Black Death
Spread of the Plague
The Black Death or Bubonic Plague
Most people believed the Plague was caused
by God.
25—30% of Europe’s population was
destroyed by 1350, never to fully recover
until 1600.
People who survived the Plague were better
off because there now was more opportunity
for them.
However, ones faith was put to the test!
Were humans sinners, like the Church
suggested?
The Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a movement in the
early 1500’s to break up the Christian world.
On October 31, 1517, a preacher named Martin
Luther was fed up with the Catholic Church selling
indulgences, or to purchase your freedom to Heaven.
Luther posted 95 Thesis, or “things” for debate on his
Church door against the teachings of the Papacy.
This became a popular movement.
Monarchs supported him, particularly England’s King
Henry VIII.
King Henry VIII
King Henry VIII
Henry had 6 wives.
He could only produce one male heir to the
throne.
Because such, he wanted a divorce but the
Catholic Church would not grant him one.
He had most of his wives executed.
Because of the Protestant Reformation on
continental Europe, Henry started his own
Church: the Church of England.
“…and traditional society
continued to crumble.”