Middle Ages and the Church
Aim/Goals: How did the Roman Catholic Church come to
control medieval life in western Europe?
Do Now:
(1) After the fall of Rome, there was a new political system.
What was it called? (Hint: Starts with the letter “F.”)
(2) What did the people during the Middle Ages live on?
(Hint: It starts with the letter “M.”)
Homework #18: The Roman Catholic Church was very powerful
during the Middle Ages. Do you feel that the Church should
have a say in the government? Example: same sexed
marriages, abortion, prayer in school, etc. Please answer in a
paragraph. Must be 5-8 sentences.
MEDIEVAL LIFE
Cooperation and Mutual
Obligations
KING
MANORIALISM:
ECONOMIC SYSTEM
FEUDALISM:
POLITICAL SYSTEM
Fief and Peasants
 Decentralized, local
government
 Dependent upon the
relationship between
members of the nobility
 Lord and his vassals
gave justice and were
the highest authority in
their land
 Agriculture (farming) the
basis for wealth
 Lands divided up into
self-sufficient manors
 Peasants (serfs) worked
the land and paid rent In
exchange for protection
 Barter the usual form of
exchange
Military Aid
Loyalty
LORDS (VASSALS TO KING)
Food
Protection
Shelter
Military Service
Homage
KNIGHTS (VASSALS TO LORDS)
Food
Protection
Farm the
Land
PEASANTS (SERFS)
Shelter
Pay
Rent
Activity:
Read Document #1 and answer all questions in
full sentences in your notebook.
1.
After the fall of Rome __________________
______________________________________
happened to the Church.
Activity:
2. The _____________________headed the Roman
Catholic Church. His role was
__________________________________
__________________________________.
3. If the Christian did not obey the rules of the Church,
they would be __________________.
4. The role of the Church officials were _______
_______________________________________
_______________________________________. They
were important because ______________________.
The Catholic Church


The Catholic Church was
the only church in Europe
during the Middle Ages,
and it had its own laws and
large income.
Church leaders such as
bishops and archbishops
sat on the king's council
and played leading roles in
government.
Bishops


Bishops, who were often
wealthy and came from
noble families, ruled
over groups of parishes
called dioceses.
Many times, they were
part of the feudal system
and in exchange for a
fief and peasants had to
provide homage and
military aid to a leige
lord.
Parish Priests


Parish priests, on the other
hand, came from humbler
backgrounds and often had
little education.
The village priest tended to
the sick and indigent and,
if he was able, taught Latin
and the Bible to the youth
of the village
Monasteries

Monasteries in the Middle
Ages were based on the
rules set down by St.
Benedict in the sixth
century. The monks
became known as
Benedictines and took
vows of poverty, chastity,
and obedience to their
leaders.
Monks


Monks were required to
perform manual labor
and were forbidden to
own property, leave the
monastery, or become
entangled in the concerns
of society.
Daily tasks were often
carried out in silence.
Nuns

Monks and their female
counterparts, nuns, who
lived in convents,
provided for the lessfortunate members of
the community.
Monasteries and
nunneries were safe
havens for pilgrims and
other travelers.
Monastic Life

Monks and nuns went
to the monastery
church eight times a
day in a routine of
worship that involved
singing, chanting, and
reciting prayers from
the divine offices and
from the service for
Mass.
Education

Between prayers, the
monks read or copied
religious texts and
music. Monks were
often well educated
and devoted their
lives to writing and
learning.
Pilgrimages

Pilgrimages were an
important part of religious
life in the Middle Ages.
Many people took
journeys to visit holy
shrines such the
Canterbury Cathedral in
England and sites in
Jerusalem and Rome.
Activity:
5. The role of the Church was that
_____________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
6. As the Church became more powerful ______
_______________________________________.
7. Three forms of corruption that the Roman Catholic
Church participated in was _____
Summary:
Which form of corruption do you feel is worse?
Explain in a few sentences.