Today’s Title: The Power of the Church Today’s Page Number: 95 Today’s Date: March 8th, 2018 Today’s EQ: What role did the Church play in Western Europe after the collapse of the Roman Empire?

Church in the Middle Ages Western Rome falls and is in chaos. Eastern Rome survives and is now Byzantine. What used to be the glorious Roman Empire is no more. However, one thing that has remained constant and stable was the church.

Focus: The Christian church helped to unify western Europe after the collapse of the Roman Empire. The Church was an institution that survived the fall of the Roman Empire. During this time of political chaos, the Church provided order and security.

Important Terms: Papal: anything relating to the Pope or Catholic Church Secular: things NOT related to religion Excommunicate: officially exclude or ban someone from all church activities (including marriage, funeral…)

The Power of the Church Throughout the Middle Ages, the church was one of the few sources of leadership and stability that people could rely upon. One historian has noted that “The existence and the authority of the Church of Rome stood out in contrast against the short-lived kingdoms which rose and fell in the early Middle Ages.” As a result, the Catholic church became one of medieval Europe’s most powerful and enduring institutions.

The Church in the Middle Ages Remember, after the Great Schism, instead of just one Christian “church”, there were now Two major Christian Churches Eastern Orthodox (Christian) Church Byzantine Roman Catholic Church Western Europe

Shift in Government People were used to being loyal to public government and written laws. Since the German invaders could not read or write, they were used to being governed by unwritten rules and traditions. The Germans saw no use in listening to a king they did not know or would they pay taxes to an emperor they had never met. They were loyal to their chief or leader who gave them food and fought alongside them. This made it very hard to create order, or rule over them.

Shift in Government However, in the Roman province of Gaul, a Germanic group called the “Franks” held power. Their leader “Clovis” would eventually bring Christianity to their region. During a very intense and hard to win battle, Clovis prayed to God and the battle turned resulting in a victory for his people. After, Clovis and 3,000 of his troops were baptized and converted to Christianity. Why is this important you may be thinking?!?!?!

Shift in Government Now that Clovis and a large number of the Franks were Christians, there were rules to go by and something to unify them. They were now easier to govern and control… unlike their old barbarian ways. This would help unify the church and Germanic kingdoms. Other tribes would follow the Franks.

The Church in the Middle Ages The Catholic Church was led by a pope and based out of Rome Papacy; Papal The Pope was believed by followers to be the spiritual representative of Jesus on Earth

The Church in the Middle Ages The Catholic church provided order and security after the fall of Rome Served the spiritual needs of followers Became a powerful political force Had authority over powerful rulers

Political Power of the Church Church had its own laws and courts Called Canon Law Claimed authority over secular (or government) rulers Secular= not having to do with religion Could excommunicate rulers who did not obey the church Banned from the church

Economic Power of the Church Church required Christians to pay a tithe Tax Required to pay 10% of income Church became very wealthy Became the largest landholder in Europe Since the economy was unstable, land became more valuable than money & equaled power

Role of the Church in Everyday Life Church provided spiritual protection in exchange for land, protection and crops Christians attended village churches led by priests (clergy)

Nuns and Monks Devoted their life to prayer and good works Could not marry or have kids Lived in monasteries or convents Religious communities Had to follow strict rules Benedictine rule

Nuns and Monks Took an oath of poverty Provided social support to communities Helped the sick and the poor Educated children Preserved ancient writings by copying Greek and Roman texts Without Nuns, Monks, and monasteries, much of learning would have been lost! They kept literacy alive. Periods 4,7,8 ended here

A Medieval Monk’s Day

Nuns and Monks Missionaries Worked to convert Germanic tribes and Celts in Britain Example: St. Patrick setup the church in Ireland Per. 2,3 ended here

Points for Discussion What was excommunication? What role did the Church play in Western Europe after the collapse of the Roman Empire?