How important was the Medieval Church?
L/O:: I can explain why the church was so important in
the Middle Ages using sources of information
Starter Task: Stick this image in
your booksLabel/ annotate the image- what
can you see? (Level 3)
1) Describe what you can see in
this source of evidence. (Level 4)
2) What does this image tell you
about Medieval ideas? Explain
your ideas. (Level 5)
3) Challenge: Use examples from
the image to explain what
message this was giving to
Medieval people. (Level 6)
Label the picture below- use the key words below to help explain your ideas:
Hints:
• Saints
• Ladder
• Heaven
• Hell
• God
Challenge- Now try the questions on the board using your ideas
The importance of the parish church
The parish church was the centre of village life. People went there nearly
every day.
Villagers went there to
pick up news.
Markets, festivals and
games were held here.
People had lessons
with the priest.
Criminals could seek
sanctuary in a church.
People believed
strongly in heaven
and hell. They hoped
that by going to
church they’d get to
heaven.
The things going on in
and around the church
often entertained and
amused people as
villagers’ lives could be
quite dull!
How is this similar or different from today?
The Structure of the Church
The image comes from Bath
Abbey which was rebuilt
during the Medieval period
in 1499.
These parts you have
examined reminded people in
the village how important
the church was.
Everyone understood that
they needed to obey the
church in order to get to
heaven.
Tasks:
1) Look at Source A. What does this show us about Medieval
beliefs?
2) Why would the belief in heaven and hell make Medieval people
obey the church?
3) Look at Source B. How does Source B show the importance of
the church for Kings?
4) Look at Source C. Why was the Archbishop of Canterbury so
important?
5) Look at Source D. Why did Medieval people pay tithes?
Usefulness: Which of these sources is the most useful for you to find out about
How important was the Medieval church?
Source A:
Source B:
Source C:
The Archbishop of
Canterbury was the
head of the church
in England.
The Pope was in
charge of all the
Christian churches.
The King was allowed
to choose the
Archbishop of
Canterbury, but the
Pope had to agree.
The Archbishop had
the power to ban
people from the
church and damn
them to hell
(excommunicate).
Source D- from www.historylearningsite.co.uk
Peasants paid 10% of what they earned to the
Church (this tax was called tithes). Tithes could be
paid in either money or in goods. As peasants had
little money, they almost always had to pay in seeds,
harvested grain, animals etc. This usually caused a
peasant a lot of hardship as seeds, for example,
would be needed to feed a family the following year.
What the Church got in tithes was kept in huge tithe
barns; a lot of the stored grain would have been
eaten by rats or poisoned by their urine. The Church
told peasants that if they didn’t pay they would go to
Hell after they had died.
How important was the Medieval church?
Source C:
Source A:
Source B:
The Archbishop of
Canterbury was the
head of the church
in England.
The Pope was in
charge of all the
Christian churches.
The King was allowed
to choose the
Archbishop of
Canterbury, but the
Pope had to agree.
The Archbishop had
the power to ban
people from the
church and damn
them to hell
(excommunicate).
Source D- from www.historylearningsite.co.uk
Henry II
being
whipped
after the
death of
Thomas
Beckett
Peasants paid 10% of what they earned to the
Church (this tax was called tithes). Tithes could be
paid in either money or in goods.
The Church told peasants that if they didn’t pay they
would go to Hell after they had died.
Tasks: ANSWER ......
How important was the Medieval church?
Make sure you write clearly in full sentences.
Level 4You can describe the role of the church in the Medieval
period using key words.
Level 5You can explain the role of the church in Medieval
society and assess its importance in people’s lives.
Level 6You have evaluated (HOW IT WAS AND WAS NOT
IMPORTANT) the importance of the church in the
Medieval period using evidence to support
statements and explain beliefs
Test your understanding...
Match the new key words below to their correct definitionArchbishop
He was in charge of the Church in
England and would have to crown
the new Kings.
Excommunicate
A tax paid to the church.
Tithe
Holy buildings created in the
Medieval period. This is where
monks lived and worshipped God.
Monastery
When the Archbishop banned
someone from the church and
damned them to hell.
N. McConnell - Spring 1: Wk 2
Homework Task
• Using these pictures, write a sermon from a priest for
your congregation warning them about the peril of sin
and the consequences of being a sinner. Describe what
hell is like. Make it sound as gruesome as possible! Try
to include:
▪ What the devil look like
▪ What the devil do
▪ What hell looks, smells and sounds like
The first sentence is written for you!
Your sermon:
“We are gathered here today so I can warn you
about hell. HellN.isMcConnell
a terrible
place to be…
- Spring 1: Wk 2