The Role of the Church in Medieval Europe

Rise of the Roman Catholic Church The Roman Catholic Church started to gain substantial power during the High Middle Ages, from about 1000 to 1300 C.E. The church was the center of community activity and daily life Religious services, town meeting, festivals, plays and markets were all held in the shadow of the church Church was a daily presence from birth to death, provided education and helped the poor. People also looked to the church to explain world events

Rise of the Roman Catholic Church Storms , disease and famine were thought to be punishments sent by God and people hoped prayer would keep away such disasters. People were also concerned with what happened to their souls after death The church taught that people were saved only if they followed the church’s teachings Christian belief was so widespread that the Middle Ages is sometimes called the “Age of Faith”

Christian Church Takes Shape Initially, the Romans persecuted Christians for their beliefs, yet the new religion spread. In 395 C.E., Christianity became the recognized religion of Roman Empire. At the start of the Middle Ages, all Christians belonged to a single church known as the Roman Catholic Church Monasteries, or communities of monks provided hospitality to refugees and travelers

Organization of the Roman Catholic Church Initially, the Romans persecuted Christians for their beliefs, yet the new religion spread. In 395 C.E., Christianity became the recognized religion of Roman Empire. At the start of the Middle Ages, all Christians belonged to a single church known as the Roman Catholic Church Monasteries, or communities of monks provided hospitality to refugees and travelers

Organization of the Roman Catholic Church

Charlemagne Leader of the Franks Charles the Great He could read and write little He encouraged education and scholarship He unified nearly all the Christian lands of Europe into a single empire.

1. Charlemagne was crowned the Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III in 800 C.E. What did this help spread throughout Europe? A. Wars B. Achievements C. Trade D. Christianity

2. Which emperor encouraged the church to teach people to read and write? A. George B. Phillip C. Gregory D. Charlemagne

Clergy People who work for the church (Pope had highest rank) Gained power by: Gaining land through gifts or taken by force Collected a tithe or tax (10%) Knew how to read and write so they kept records for monarchs Became trusted advisors to monarchs

3. Some clergy of the Catholic Church gained political power in Medieval Europe by _______________. A. Training knights how to fight B. Helping peasants to become literate C. Being advisors to kings D. Training with Italian city-states

Church Appointed (chose) the emperor Owned much land Life revolved around church Each church had a priest but there was only 1 Pope

4. Which of the following is NOT true of the Roman Catholic Church during the Middle Ages? A. Each church had its own patriarch B. The pope appointed the Holy Roman Emperor in Western Europe C. The church owned property throughout Western Europe D. Daily life revolved around the church

Pope Gregory VII Prohibited priests from marrying Prohibited the selling of church official positions (jobs) Said that only the Pope could choose who worked for him and NOT the King The Pope could excommunicate (deprive a person from membership in a church), even the King!

5. What power did Pope Gregory VII have over King Henry IV? A. The Pope owned more land than the King B. The Pope could excommunicate the King C. The Pope had to pay a tithe to the King D. The Pope could force the King to go on a crusade

Thomas Aquinas Italian scholar and philosopher and theology (the study of God and religious truth) Tried to bridge the gap between reason and faith He thought both reason and faith were gifts of God His concept of Natural Law stated that there was an order built into nature and could guide people’s thinking about right or wrong

6. Who was the Catholic priest who tried to bridge the gap between faith and reason? A. Saint Benedict B. Pope Gregory C. Thomas Aquinas D. Charlemagne

7. Who developed the idea of Natural Law? A. Thomas Aquinas B. John Locke C. Baron de Montesquieu D. Ferdinand Magellan

Monasteries Monks devoted their life to church life They prayed, studied, and worked They cared for the poor and sick, provided hospitality, copied religious texts, started first universities, farmed their land, tended their gardens, raised livestock, and sewed clothing

8. Which of the following does NOT describe the contributions of monasteries and monks to medieval society? A. Provided hospitality to refugees and travelers B. Copied and preserved of old texts/literature C. Started the first universities in Europe D. Cultivated most of the crops of the community