Transcript Why was the Church so important in medieval times?

AIM: How did the role of
the Catholic Church in
Medieval Europe change
during the Middle Ages?
DO NOW:
“No one is an atheist on their death bed.”
What does this mean?
Why was the
church so
important in the
“Dark Ages”?
A demon pulling people off the
ladder
Murderers being put into a pot of
boiling water
A bridge of spikes for dishonest
tradesmen
Christ defeating the Devil who has
his hands tied
St Michael weighing souls to see if
they should go to heaven or hell
Angels helping the good up the
ladder
Possible reasons
Why was the church so
important in the “Dark
Ages”?
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Religion helped explain the
unexplainable
Escape from dark ages
Impressive buildings
Social life
Priests could save your soul
How did the importance of
the Church affect the role of
the Church in society?
Holy Roman Empire
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Unifies western Europe
Power of excommunication and interdict
Controls knowledge (clergy can read/write)
Canon law- Church law
Church Hierarchy
Kings/nobles
select bishops
based on family
connections/
Power: lay
investiture
Wealth
Tithe (tax) - one-tenth of a person’s income
Pope vs. King
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Papal power handout
“POWER TENDS TO CORRUPT, AND
ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS
ABSOLUTELY.”
How did the role of the
Catholic Church in
Medieval Europe change
during the Middle Ages?