The Medieval Catholic Church
Introduction
What comes to mind when you hear medieval church? Or, maybe you've never even heard of the medieval church? Well, during the medieval era the church was a very important part in the daily lives of the people. The church showed light unto the darkness that was happening during that time. The church also served as a hotel, school, hospital, and meeting place. The priests was a representative of God, which people believed to be the go-between for God and the regular group of people. Pilgrimages were took by people from all social classes visiting the remains of revered saints. These pilgrimages often took months or years, and sometimes the pilgrims never returned back home. The people often gave their land over to the church for when they died or either joined the clergy. Most of the clergy members were usually from the noble class. Which led to the church becoming one of the largest landowners in Europe. The bishops and archbishops of the church operated commonly like vassals of the pope. Please, read on for more information on the medieval church.
What comes to mind when you hear medieval church? Or, maybe you've never even heard of the medieval church? Well, during the medieval era the church was a very important part in the daily lives of the people. The church showed light unto the darkness that was happening during that time. The church also served as a hotel, school, hospital, and meeting place. The priests was a representative of God, which people believed to be the go-between for God and the regular group of people. Pilgrimages were took by people from all social classes visiting the remains of revered saints. These pilgrimages often took months or years, and sometimes the pilgrims never returned back home. The people often gave their land over to the church for when they died or either joined the clergy. Most of the clergy members were usually from the noble class. Which led to the church becoming one of the largest landowners in Europe. The bishops and archbishops of the church operated commonly like vassals of the pope. Please, read on for more information on the medieval church.
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Europe's Conversion to Christianity (written by Allie C.)
When the Roman Empire fell to the barbarians in 476 A.D., people fled the cities of the Roman Empire out into the country. During this time many things were unable to do their functions, but one thing continued after its fall. The spread of christianity persisted to spread to Europe with the help of monks and missionaries. A missionary is someone who is taught a religious belief and travels somewhere else to teach others about the religion. A missionary that was overly apart of spreading the religion of christianity was called a Saint. For example, one Saint that is popular in our modern day is known as Saint Patrick. Patrick was born in Britain, and spread the christian religion to Ireland. He was not told to do missionary work by a pope, he did it by choice. Known for his emblems of the shamrock and the snake, he changed Irelands religious beliefs to christianity.
A monk had a very different way of a christian life. The definition of a monk is “a religIous man who lives apart from society in isolated communities.” The isolated community they lived in was called a monastery. A monk’s role was to be almost like a perfect christian. They had to follow rules that would help em be committed to god.
Medieval Europe was also converged to christianity by a man whose name was Charlemagne. Charlemagne was the grandson of a man named Charles Martel. On Christmas Day in 800 A.D., Charlemagne was crowned emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. When Charlemagne’s father died, he and his brother shared the Frankish Empire. Although a king, Charlemagne put much effort in learning to read and write. This also made it easier to understand the bible.
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Role of the Church in Daily Lives of the People: (written by Cynthia H.)
After Rome fell to the barbarians in 476 A.D. the church grew stronger in power during the medieval era. The church was very important to the daily lives of the people because of their dedication to the people. They threw festivals for holidays and special events. For example, Michaelmas, a religious holiday held on September 29, was celebrated to honor St. Michael for expelling Lucifer from heaven.
Another part of the church is the church hierarchy. Francis of Assisi was referred to be one of the most beloved figures in Western Christian history. Francis was born in central Italy, around 1181 and 1182. He was respected to be a saint by the Roman Catholics and is best known as founder of the Franciscan Order. He was a gentle soul who was concerned for the animals and nature, but in him he was a fan of parties and fighting. He was the son of Pietro and Picadi Ber. Pietro was a very wealthy man from trade in cloth, banking, and land ownership.
After Rome fell to the barbarians in 476 A.D. the church grew stronger in power during the medieval era. The church was very important to the daily lives of the people because of their dedication to the people. They threw festivals for holidays and special events. For example, Michaelmas, a religious holiday held on September 29, was celebrated to honor St. Michael for expelling Lucifer from heaven.
Another part of the church is the church hierarchy. Francis of Assisi was referred to be one of the most beloved figures in Western Christian history. Francis was born in central Italy, around 1181 and 1182. He was respected to be a saint by the Roman Catholics and is best known as founder of the Franciscan Order. He was a gentle soul who was concerned for the animals and nature, but in him he was a fan of parties and fighting. He was the son of Pietro and Picadi Ber. Pietro was a very wealthy man from trade in cloth, banking, and land ownership.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/6/2/27626773/505080391.jpg)
The Pope, Power, and Politics: (written by Liam H.)
The pope was considered the highest priest of the church hierarchy. Which meant they had the power to change many things. For example, he was able to resolve an argument between two kingdoms, make new church laws, change the religion of the kingdom, and crown new emperors. He was also in charge of any final judgments in the medieval court. The Pope was so powerful that sometimes he could have more judge and power than the monarch. The home of the pope was was the worlds smallest country, Vatican City. Vatican City was the capital of the catholic church. It is where they had conclave or the selecting of a new pope. This would have been started within ten days of the last pope's death. start when the last pope dies. People would vote about four times a day; two in the morning and two in the afternoon. With the image that the pope was in control of the catholic church he was important to the people.
The pope was considered the highest priest of the church hierarchy. Which meant they had the power to change many things. For example, he was able to resolve an argument between two kingdoms, make new church laws, change the religion of the kingdom, and crown new emperors. He was also in charge of any final judgments in the medieval court. The Pope was so powerful that sometimes he could have more judge and power than the monarch. The home of the pope was was the worlds smallest country, Vatican City. Vatican City was the capital of the catholic church. It is where they had conclave or the selecting of a new pope. This would have been started within ten days of the last pope's death. start when the last pope dies. People would vote about four times a day; two in the morning and two in the afternoon. With the image that the pope was in control of the catholic church he was important to the people.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/6/2/27626773/1396142550.png)
Monks and Monasteries: (written by Seth D.)
The daily life of a monk included many chores like washing and cooking, planting vegetables, making wine, ale and honey, they made books, and they also educated boys. There were many other jobs the monks had. Providing medical attention to the people in their community and provided homes, safety, and food for the pilgrims. The jobs they did were called Monastic Jobs. These jobs included an Abbot who was head of an Abbey. There is a Barber Surgeon and his job is to shaved the faces of the monks and did light surgery. One other job is a Lector who was in charge of reading lessons in the church.
The daily life of a monk included many chores like washing and cooking, planting vegetables, making wine, ale and honey, they made books, and they also educated boys. There were many other jobs the monks had. Providing medical attention to the people in their community and provided homes, safety, and food for the pilgrims. The jobs they did were called Monastic Jobs. These jobs included an Abbot who was head of an Abbey. There is a Barber Surgeon and his job is to shaved the faces of the monks and did light surgery. One other job is a Lector who was in charge of reading lessons in the church.
Conclusion
As you can see now the church was very involved and was a great impact on people’s lives. The church was probably the one thing that was most stabled. The power of the church was controlled by the Pope. He was very powerful in which that sometimes he almost had more control than the Emperor did. If the emperor ever wanted to dethrone the Pope because of a decision he did not like and take charge over him the Pope would fight back with excommunication. Excommunication is when the Pope has you removed from his position as emperor and says that he will not be aloud to go to heaven but to hell. Anyone with an oath to the emperor would have to cancel that oath otherwise they could get into trouble and also not be able to go to heaven. Once the emperor was dethroned the Pope had the power to kill the emperor if he wanted to. Even though you might have thought that the king had control over the Pope, in a sense the Pope had more power than the king.
As you can see now the church was very involved and was a great impact on people’s lives. The church was probably the one thing that was most stabled. The power of the church was controlled by the Pope. He was very powerful in which that sometimes he almost had more control than the Emperor did. If the emperor ever wanted to dethrone the Pope because of a decision he did not like and take charge over him the Pope would fight back with excommunication. Excommunication is when the Pope has you removed from his position as emperor and says that he will not be aloud to go to heaven but to hell. Anyone with an oath to the emperor would have to cancel that oath otherwise they could get into trouble and also not be able to go to heaven. Once the emperor was dethroned the Pope had the power to kill the emperor if he wanted to. Even though you might have thought that the king had control over the Pope, in a sense the Pope had more power than the king.
Research Resources:
1. ISN page 73
2. Sedgewick, Jessica. "Pope Benedict XVI Resigns: Background." World Religions: Belief, Culture, and Controversy.ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 11 Mar. 2014
3. Volo, Dorothy Denneen. “Saint Patricks Day.”Daily Life Through History.ABC-CLIO. 2014. Web.11 Mar. 2014
4. Burstein, Stanley M., Shek, Richard. World History Medieval to Early Modern Times. USA: Holt, Rhinehart and Winston, 2006.Print.
5. Bray, Dorothy Ann. “Saint Patrick.” WOrld Religions:Belief, CUlture, and controversy.ABC-CLIO. 2014. Web 11 Mar. 2014
6. Class Lecture, Mrs. Oliveria
1. ISN page 73
2. Sedgewick, Jessica. "Pope Benedict XVI Resigns: Background." World Religions: Belief, Culture, and Controversy.ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 11 Mar. 2014
3. Volo, Dorothy Denneen. “Saint Patricks Day.”Daily Life Through History.ABC-CLIO. 2014. Web.11 Mar. 2014
4. Burstein, Stanley M., Shek, Richard. World History Medieval to Early Modern Times. USA: Holt, Rhinehart and Winston, 2006.Print.
5. Bray, Dorothy Ann. “Saint Patrick.” WOrld Religions:Belief, CUlture, and controversy.ABC-CLIO. 2014. Web 11 Mar. 2014
6. Class Lecture, Mrs. Oliveria