What was
everyday life like
in Medieval
Europe?
SSWH 7 b, c, & d
Describe the political impact of
Christianity; include Pope Gregory VII
and King Henry IV of Germany (Holy
Roman Emperor).
Explain the role of the church in
medieval society.
Describe how increasing trade led to the
growth of towns and cities.
Growing Cities & Towns
Increase agri. & better tech. caused
population to grow
Economy up: Guilds (org. of individ.
in the same business)
Guilds set standards for quality,
wages, & conditions, allowed better
products
Manors no longer providing, people
needed to travel to the cities p.219 -237
Trade routes increased
Banking grew because of merchants
(needed credit, diff. currencies)
Cities & towns: overcrowded,
unsanitary
Feudal Sys breaks down serfs ran
away to the cities
New Social Class: Burghers
merchants) – fought feudalism &
gained rights
Church In Medieval Society
Pope in Rome (head of the Christian
church)
All clergy (priests) were under the
Pope
Shared beliefs of the Church
bonded people together (rich &
poor)
Church was security, a stable force
during warfare & political turmoil
Religion occupied center
stage in society
Regardless of social class,
people were equal when it
came to salvation & heaven
Lower class accepted lifestyle
because church said they
would be rewarded in heaven
Political Impact of Christianity
 Pope’s office (papacy) becomes secular
(worldly), gained power in govt.
 Used church $ to raise armies, repair roads,
helped poor (negotiated peace treaties)
 Church created a sys. of justice to guide
conduct – canon law & court sys.
 Pope’s Threats to Rulers:
Excommunication (banishment from
church) & Interdict (no one receives
sacraments) p.228 -229
Pope Gregory VII & King Henry IV
Henry practiced lay
investitures (king appoints
church officials) it controls
influential clergy
Pope Gregory VII banned lay
investiture (didn’t want kings
appointing church officials)
Henry ordered the Pope to leave the
papacy, Pope excommunicated
Henry
Henry begged for forgiveness
(priests sided with Pope), the Pope
ended the excommunication
Concordat of Worms: Agreement –
church could appoint bishops &
kings could veto
1 Word Summary
Write one word that summarizes the
role of the Church in Medieval
Europe…
Write 2-3 sentences explaining why
you chose that word.
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