Section 2 The Church and the rise of cities

I. The Church in the Middle Ages Age of Faith Christianity grew very strongly in the Middle Ages The Roman Catholic Church had so much influence that it was simply referred to as The Church

B. Religious and Economic Power Life was so hard for people that they were comforted by the belief in a heaven after death The church taught that if you followed their teachings you would go to heaven. If not you would be punished (go to hell) The promise of heaven and the fear of hell made most people follow the teachings of the Church.

4. The Church had enormous wealth a 4. The Church had enormous wealth a. money from taxes (collected tithes) b. Land gained from performing tasks for lord or land given to church in a person’s will c. The Church was the largest landowner in Europe during the Middle Ages

C. Political Power 1. Church laws and court allowed the Church to excommunicate (expelled from Church and participation from Church life) major threat 2. Church officials were advisors to kings and lords a. excommunication gave church leaders great influence in politics b. officials used authority to limit war (truces)

D. Church Organization 1. Church had a highly organized set of leaders Pope-along with the cardinals made decisions for all of the Catholic Churches Cardinals-advise the Pope Archbishop-supervised several bishops Bishops- supervised several priests Priests- led one church 2. Church authority overlapped and crossed all land boundaries

E. Church in Everyday life 1. The early church was involved in all major life events from birth through death. Heard confessions and forgave them for their sins 2. Clergy were available to bless or perform a service. They helped people to follow Church rules on how to live. 3. In many cases, events at church offered chances for people to be together. It was common that Christians only “hung out” with other Christians

F. Monasteries and Convents Religious men who dedicated their lives to God chose to live together in monasteries . Were called monks Religious women who dedicated their lives to God chose to live together in convents. Called Nuns They helped communities in the Middle Ages. Improved farming, tending the sick, and monks rewrote ancient books. They were educated and very respected Scholasticism-combination of faith and reason to support Christian beliefs

II. Trade revives and Towns grow The revival of trade 1. By 1000, feudalism was well established making Europe safer and the population was growing 2. Feeling safer, people began to travel and desire goods from other places 3. trades routes began to be used again. Traders traveled to buy and sell goods

B. Growth of towns Local goods were traded at marketplaces in villages which grew due to growth in trade Traders gathered at convenient places for travelers such as river crossing and along highways (towns developed at these locations) Manors became overcrowded and providing food and clothing for everyone was difficult.

III Life in towns and cities Many towns grew into cities by about 1300 including Paris with a population of 300,000 Lords allowed peasants to buy their freedom. If you could escape for a year and a day you were free (move into cities) A new middle class grew made up of merchants and traders Diseases such as the bubonic plague(black death) spread quickly because the cities were overcrowded and unsanitary

E. Cathedral schools attracted scholars and became centers of learning F. Merchants, traders, and crafts workers began to form guilds 1. Guild includes all the people who practice a certain trade or craft 2. Guilds set prices and prevented outsiders from selling goods in towns 3. To become a member of a guild one had to go through a three step process

a. Apprentice- started between ages 8 and 14, unpaid worker being trained in a craft. He lived and worked in the home of a master of that trade. b. Journeyman-salaried worker c. master-guild officials had judged that the journeyman’s work met standards , could join guild