Transcript The Christian Church was central to life in the Middle Ages.

The Catholic Church
in the Middle Ages
Learning Target 7.39
Learning Target 7.39
I can explain the importance of the Catholic
Church as a political, intellectual, and aesthetic
institution, including the founding of
universities, political and spiritual roles of the
clergy, creation of monastic and mendicant
orders, preservation of Latin language and
religious texts, Thomas Aquinas’ synthesis of
classical philosophy with Christian theology and
the concept of “natural law.”
Learning Target 7.39
 Fold your paper in half
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(hamburger style)
Divide the front into 3
equal sections.
Label each section as
shown in the diagram.
Cut along the lines
between each section on
the top page only.
Take notes on the inside,
uncut area for each topic.
POLITICAL
INTELLECTUAL
AESTHETIC
The Christian Church was central to life
in the Middle Ages.
1. The Christian Church shaped society and
politics in medieval Europe.
2. Orders of monks and friars did not like the
church’s political nature.
3. Church leaders helped build the first
universities in Europe.
4. The Church influenced the arts in medieval
Europe.
The Church as a Political Institution
 The pope and other Catholic leaders had
significant influence in medieval Europe.
 The Church directly controlled some land and
wealth (some people left their land to the
Church when they died).
 Some bishops and abbots got so involved in
politics that they spent little time dealing with
religious matters.
The Church as a Political Institution
 Some people did not like the political involvement of the
Catholic Church.
 Monks and nuns decided to live away from many other
people and devote their lives to religious studies and
following strict rules.
 Friars were people who belonged to a religious group but
lived and worked among the general public.
 They traveled around preaching and begging for food
(mendicant orders).
 Their main goal was to teach people how to live good
Christian lives.
The Church as an Intellectual Institution
 Students were trained for the priesthood at
schools attached to the cathedrals.
 Gradually, schools were set up to provide
further education and universities began.
 Most teachers in the universities were
members of the clergy.
 Students studied religion, law, medicine,
astronomy, and other subjects. All classes were
taught in the Latin language.
The Church as an Intellectual Institution
Sorbonne University, Paris
Founded 1257
The Church as an Aesthetic Institution
The Church had a strong influence
on art and architecture.
Cathedrals were large churches that
were built in the Gothic
architectural style.
Monks created illuminated
manuscripts.
b4
Cathedrals: Canterbury, England
Cathedrals: Notre Dame, Paris
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Illuminated Manuscripts: The Book of Kells