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Introduction (Written by Abby. H with support from Sarah. E)
The guard stayed outside of the hall, staring coldly at the man that had waited outside of the doors, looking feeble and cold. The man that used to be the emperor sat before him, weak and clothed in beggars garments. He thought about the man, and how he had come from riches to rags just because of the churches influence. It seemed humorous that at one point in history the church didn’t exist, when now, it was the main force behind their age. At that time, the medieval church was the main force behind the Medieval Ages. The spread of Christianity, the role of the church, the pope and his power, and the monks and monasteries, were a vital part to the middle ages.
The guard stayed outside of the hall, staring coldly at the man that had waited outside of the doors, looking feeble and cold. The man that used to be the emperor sat before him, weak and clothed in beggars garments. He thought about the man, and how he had come from riches to rags just because of the churches influence. It seemed humorous that at one point in history the church didn’t exist, when now, it was the main force behind their age. At that time, the medieval church was the main force behind the Medieval Ages. The spread of Christianity, the role of the church, the pope and his power, and the monks and monasteries, were a vital part to the middle ages.
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Spread of Christianity(Written by Will. B)
Missionaries were perhaps the most powerful. They helped spread Christianity. Missionaries converted people to Christianity. They traveled to far lands to help spread Christianity. Popes sent missionaries to Britain first. Not all missionaries were sent by popes. Most people turned to Christianity. Christianity carried to France and Germany. Barbarians were converted to Christianity after a while. Christianity was one of the popular religions.
Missionaries were perhaps the most powerful. They helped spread Christianity. Missionaries converted people to Christianity. They traveled to far lands to help spread Christianity. Popes sent missionaries to Britain first. Not all missionaries were sent by popes. Most people turned to Christianity. Christianity carried to France and Germany. Barbarians were converted to Christianity after a while. Christianity was one of the popular religions.
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Role of the Church in
Daily Lives of People (written by Sarah.E)
People
in Medieval Times took their beliefs out of the church and incorporated them in
their daily lives. They mostly incorporated their beliefs with Holidays/Church
Festivals. One of the major holidays of the Catholic Church is Easter. One
parts of Easter is, Good Friday which is when Jesus the Son of God was
crucified by punches pilot on a cross with cloth and a crown made out of
thorns. Easter Monday was a special day because three days ago Jesus was
crucified on the cross but that day Jesus rose from the dead in a tomb.
The Lammas day is the marking of fall in that time they harvest the corn and the corn is blesses. The day of the dead was a special day for many people. They put up shrines and picture of the people they love then they light candles. The first saints were Martyrs. That name was used to honor saint’s memory. Another holiday is All Soul’s Day on November 1.All Saints is on November the day right after All Souls Day. All of these holidays were very special to the Catholic Church in medieval times and today in our society.
The Lammas day is the marking of fall in that time they harvest the corn and the corn is blesses. The day of the dead was a special day for many people. They put up shrines and picture of the people they love then they light candles. The first saints were Martyrs. That name was used to honor saint’s memory. Another holiday is All Soul’s Day on November 1.All Saints is on November the day right after All Souls Day. All of these holidays were very special to the Catholic Church in medieval times and today in our society.
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Popes, Politics, and
Power (written by Abby H.)
During Medieval times, the church and the government struggled for power. Many times throughout the history of the church, the leader, or the pope, had tried to get ahold of political ruling, while the government tried to control the church, by selecting the pope. To gain the public’s favor, the church showed power and wealth, and told many of their ability to condemn. The fight wasn’t as general as many struggles are. Several times, the fight was contained to the pope and the emperor. But, the church was the true power in the Medieval Times. They had public support, wealth, and power.
The Catholic Church had one leader, whose word was essentially law. The pope controlled every aspect of life. In history, the ability to choose the pope was often fought over. It ended up lying with the church, and was a ceremonial part of life. When a pope died, a conclave would occur. Several cardinals would gather in a closed room, and would be unable to leave unless one of them was ill, or they had chosen a new pope from a pool of bishops. They would receive their meals in a little slit in the door. After the first three days, they would only get one dish per meal for five more days. Then, after those eight days, the cardinals would only receive bread, water, and wine until their choice was made. Finally, in year 1310, the decision was made that all cardinals could vote for a pope, even those excommunicated. The choice of the pope was a long process that decided the fate of many Europeans.
In order to convince the people of God’s favor, the church had to display power, wealth, and a sense of righteousness. To do this, the church had to do many things to strive for perfection. The church created a safe haven for those who needed it, and became a place of education as well as worship. To get the money to support the church, all citizens were forced to pay a form of taxes, called tithes. Tithes were ten percent of someone’s earnings. Everyone in medieval times was expected to pay these tithes, in forms of food, money, or land. The Catholic Church threatened people, saying that if the tithes were unpaid, the guilty would go to hell. Not many stood up to the church, and those that did were excommunicated. Nothing at the church was truly free either. All citizens were expected to pay for baptisms, marriages, and memorials. The church kept its money that it gained, since the church was the only organization that didn’t have to pay taxes. Vatican City was one of the many places that displayed the decor and grandness that was expected of the church. The Apostle Peter was crucified upside down at that location, and made it a popular burial site. Emperor Charlemagne wanted walls to built around Vatican City, and Pope Leo III built them, and soon in 1319, many Popes began to reside there. The church had built a foundation that was to last throughout the centuries, and was one of the most important elements in medieval history.
The struggle for power between the church and the government was mainly fought by the pope and the emperor. Henry IV was young when he was crowned, and inexperienced. Pope Gregory took advantage, and made changes to the system that was disliked by the government, for they gave much of the power to the church. Henry unwisely tried to dethrone the pope, and as a result, was excommunicated, and banished from the church. His nobles left him, and he was powerless. To regain his power he traveled through the Alps in winter, and waited at the house of the pope. Pope Gregory refused to see him, and made him wait outside of his house for three days. When Henry IV was let in, Pope Gregory forgave him and Henry was again powerful. But soon afterwards Henry IV dethroned Pope Gregory, using a apposing pope to counter him, and soon exiled Pope Gregory. Both the pope and the emperor needed support from the church to win the battle of power, and without it were rendered useless.
While many of the medieval forces failed the church survived. The Catholic Church was a strong organization that was a main element in the story of Medieval Times. Their wealth, victory, leadership, and divine right helped them gain followers, and from the followers they would get power, for as the community followed them, the government was forgotten. Although the government was important in Medieval Times, the church was always more crucial to society then the political system.
During Medieval times, the church and the government struggled for power. Many times throughout the history of the church, the leader, or the pope, had tried to get ahold of political ruling, while the government tried to control the church, by selecting the pope. To gain the public’s favor, the church showed power and wealth, and told many of their ability to condemn. The fight wasn’t as general as many struggles are. Several times, the fight was contained to the pope and the emperor. But, the church was the true power in the Medieval Times. They had public support, wealth, and power.
The Catholic Church had one leader, whose word was essentially law. The pope controlled every aspect of life. In history, the ability to choose the pope was often fought over. It ended up lying with the church, and was a ceremonial part of life. When a pope died, a conclave would occur. Several cardinals would gather in a closed room, and would be unable to leave unless one of them was ill, or they had chosen a new pope from a pool of bishops. They would receive their meals in a little slit in the door. After the first three days, they would only get one dish per meal for five more days. Then, after those eight days, the cardinals would only receive bread, water, and wine until their choice was made. Finally, in year 1310, the decision was made that all cardinals could vote for a pope, even those excommunicated. The choice of the pope was a long process that decided the fate of many Europeans.
In order to convince the people of God’s favor, the church had to display power, wealth, and a sense of righteousness. To do this, the church had to do many things to strive for perfection. The church created a safe haven for those who needed it, and became a place of education as well as worship. To get the money to support the church, all citizens were forced to pay a form of taxes, called tithes. Tithes were ten percent of someone’s earnings. Everyone in medieval times was expected to pay these tithes, in forms of food, money, or land. The Catholic Church threatened people, saying that if the tithes were unpaid, the guilty would go to hell. Not many stood up to the church, and those that did were excommunicated. Nothing at the church was truly free either. All citizens were expected to pay for baptisms, marriages, and memorials. The church kept its money that it gained, since the church was the only organization that didn’t have to pay taxes. Vatican City was one of the many places that displayed the decor and grandness that was expected of the church. The Apostle Peter was crucified upside down at that location, and made it a popular burial site. Emperor Charlemagne wanted walls to built around Vatican City, and Pope Leo III built them, and soon in 1319, many Popes began to reside there. The church had built a foundation that was to last throughout the centuries, and was one of the most important elements in medieval history.
The struggle for power between the church and the government was mainly fought by the pope and the emperor. Henry IV was young when he was crowned, and inexperienced. Pope Gregory took advantage, and made changes to the system that was disliked by the government, for they gave much of the power to the church. Henry unwisely tried to dethrone the pope, and as a result, was excommunicated, and banished from the church. His nobles left him, and he was powerless. To regain his power he traveled through the Alps in winter, and waited at the house of the pope. Pope Gregory refused to see him, and made him wait outside of his house for three days. When Henry IV was let in, Pope Gregory forgave him and Henry was again powerful. But soon afterwards Henry IV dethroned Pope Gregory, using a apposing pope to counter him, and soon exiled Pope Gregory. Both the pope and the emperor needed support from the church to win the battle of power, and without it were rendered useless.
While many of the medieval forces failed the church survived. The Catholic Church was a strong organization that was a main element in the story of Medieval Times. Their wealth, victory, leadership, and divine right helped them gain followers, and from the followers they would get power, for as the community followed them, the government was forgotten. Although the government was important in Medieval Times, the church was always more crucial to society then the political system.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/6/2/27629255/204088477.jpg)
Monks and Monasteries (By Ed P.)
Monks: Were the basic Christian church spreaders to the public around the kingdom. They were also a sort of priest, but didn’t have as much power as the priest because monks were like nuns. Monks were also known very famously in Chinese shrines. Monks were also known for being the helper of medical surgeries to pray for the patient and hope for the best. Monks have been with religion for as long as religion has been around for a long time and still exists in today’s religion.
Monasteries: These were like churches but much bigger than a church. These monasteries were shrines to every religious person on the class pyramid would go to this place and pray. The monasteries looked like giant mansions with crucifixes inside to pray to. These were very holy to the pope and bishops. The monasteries were a very big thing during the crusades as Christianity spread throughout Europe.
Monks: Were the basic Christian church spreaders to the public around the kingdom. They were also a sort of priest, but didn’t have as much power as the priest because monks were like nuns. Monks were also known very famously in Chinese shrines. Monks were also known for being the helper of medical surgeries to pray for the patient and hope for the best. Monks have been with religion for as long as religion has been around for a long time and still exists in today’s religion.
Monasteries: These were like churches but much bigger than a church. These monasteries were shrines to every religious person on the class pyramid would go to this place and pray. The monasteries looked like giant mansions with crucifixes inside to pray to. These were very holy to the pope and bishops. The monasteries were a very big thing during the crusades as Christianity spread throughout Europe.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/6/2/27629255/919013521.jpg)
Conclusion (Written by Sarah E. and Abby. H)
The Medieval times was often mistaken as a cruel and harsh time. Although there were some cold moments in history, much of the medieval times were filled with light. The church brought a factor to the medieval ages that were unknown. It was a way to acquire wealth, status, and power, and became one of the biggest parts in an average citizen’s life. As Christianity spread the system became popular as well. The many monasteries that were built became a place of refuge, and the monk’s guardians. Although many people look at the political system when questioned about power, the true force behind the medieval ages is within the church.
The Medieval times was often mistaken as a cruel and harsh time. Although there were some cold moments in history, much of the medieval times were filled with light. The church brought a factor to the medieval ages that were unknown. It was a way to acquire wealth, status, and power, and became one of the biggest parts in an average citizen’s life. As Christianity spread the system became popular as well. The many monasteries that were built became a place of refuge, and the monk’s guardians. Although many people look at the political system when questioned about power, the true force behind the medieval ages is within the church.
Research Resources
-“Bull,papal.”Britannica.com.N.p.,June 2013. Web. 11 Mar. 2014.
-Bertelsen,Cynthia D.”Saints’ Day”Daily life Through History.ABC-CLIO.2014 web.11,Mar.2014
-Newman, Simon. “Popes in the Middle Ages.” The Finer Times.The Finer Times, n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2014
- Dowling, Austin. “Conclave.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1908. 12 Mar. 2014
- Davis, R. Casey. “Medieval Church: A source of Comfort and Structure.” Daily Life through History. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 12 Mar. 2014
-Trueman, Chris. “The Medieval Church.” History Learning Site,n.d. Web. 12 Mar.