1. 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?

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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…)

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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?!?!?!

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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)

15. 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

16. 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

17. A Medieval Monk’s Day

18. 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

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