M edieval Church

1. Medieval Church Kyle Borst & Peter Turner Global 9H

2. Christianity in Western Rome • Pope Gregory I sent St. Augustine to convert the Anglo – Saxons in England • By the end of the middle ages, Europe became predominantly Christian • The church was the largest building in a medieval village, daily life revolved around it in religion and from a social standpoint • The first churches were built with wood, but they gradually started to be built with stone. • Some churches owned relics, which are remains or possessions of saints.

3. Impact of the Church • All Christiancitizens had to pay a tax totheir local church which supported the parish • Huge cathedralsfirst appeared in the1100’s. they were managed by the local bishop • Church doctrine preached that men and women were equal before god, but in reality, women were viewed as weak and easily led into sin • Women were usually punished more harshly than men

4. Monastic Life • Starting in the early middle ages, some men and women devoted their life to god, or became Nuns and Monks • In 530 a monk named Benedict created the guidelines for monastic life. • There were 73 guidelines that the clergy had to follow. • They ranged from what the Monks could wear, to how they should sleep, and even how many Psalms were to be recited each night

5. Monastic Life Cont’d… • Monastic life was very strict and the rules were somewhat hard to follow, but in the middle ages, a promise of a safe and secure home and a promise of eternal life after death were advantages that were much sought after. • Clergymen took three vows before their reception to the clergy. They were: 1. Obedience to the abbot or abbess 2. Poverty 3. Chastity or purity • Monastic life was very strict and the rules were somewhat hard to follow, but in the middle ages, a promise of a safe and secure home and a promise of eternal life after death were advantages that were much sought after. • Monasteries often provided basic health and educational services as well

6. The Rise in Power • The influence of the Church eventually became the most powerful force in Western Europe • The Church had the authority to declare periods of peace between warring factions. • This was called The Truce of God • No one was allowed to fight on Fridays, Sundays, and religious holidays

7. Further development of the church • The more the Church grew over time, the less pious the clergy became • There became a new order of monks: Friars. • The friars traveled around towns in Europe preaching to the poor. • With a bigger church, it required a new set of laws. These were the Canon Laws • The Canon Laws have been under constant revision, the last change was made in 1983 • These laws are followed in Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, independent churches of Eastern Christianity, and the Anglican Communion

8. Bibliography • Ellis, Elisabeth Gaynor and Esler, Anthony. World History. Boston: Pearson Education Inc. , 2009. • Halsall, Paul. "Medieval Sourcebook: The Rule of St. Benedict, c.530." FORDHAM.EDU. Web. 22 Feb. 2010. <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/rul-benedict.html>. • "Medieval Monks." Middle Ages. Web. 22 Feb. 2010. <http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/medieval-monks.htm>.