The Roman Catholic Church
in Medieval Europe
History Alive pg 29-39
The Christian Church
Takes Shape
Constantine issues a decree allowing Christians
to practice their religion freely
Christianity becomes the official religion of the
Roman Empire
Church played a vital role in society
Monasteries provided hospitality to refugees and
travelers
Christianity is
founded on three
principles
1. Jesus is the son of God
2. God sent Jesus to earth to
save people from their sin
3. Jesus rose from the dead
after his death by
crucifixion
The Hierarchy
Developed a system
that modeled after the
old Roman government
Church acquires
Economic Power
Prohibited kings from appointing priests
Outlawed the selling of Church positions
Collected a tax, or tithe
Each person expected to give one-tenth (1/10)
Latin allowed church officials to keep records for
monarchs and became trusted scribes and advisors
Pope Gregory vs. Henry IV
Pope Gregory elected in
1073
Henry IV was angered by
the Pope’s choices
Responsible for all the
power plays
Pope “excommunicated”
or kicked him out of the
church
Gave only himself to
right to appoint people of
power
Could no longer be saved
Henry caves and begged
for forgiveness
Sacraments and Salvation
Catholics viewed hell as real and terrifying place
that is waiting if you fail to attain salvation
There are 7 sacraments (sacred rights of
christians) that help one achieve salvation
Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Marriage,
Holy Orders, Penance, Extreme Unction
Pilgrimages
Life revolves around the
local church
Markets, festivals and
religious ceremonies all
take place here
Encourages some people to
go on pilgrimages to
Jerusalem, Rome,
Compostela and Canterbury
People wanted to show
their devotion to God
Chaucer wrote poems
about the pilgrims called
the Canterbury Tales
Stories told to entertain
fellow travelers
Crusades
Series of military
expeditions to the Holy
Land
People went to recover
Jerusalem from the
Muslims
Also went to seek wealth
and adventure
10
REVIEW
Let’s see how much you remember!
1) ____________ issued a decree that made
Christianity the official religion of
Europe
2) _______ are second in the Catholic
Church hierarchy.
3) List one way the church acquired
economic power
4) Why were church officials allowed to
keep records?
11
REVIEW
Let’s see how much you remember!
5) The king was _________________ from the
church and had to beg to get allowed
back in
6) There are_____ sacraments. The second
one is _____________.
7) People went on crusades for__________
and___________.
8) Art was meant to show scenes from the
____________ because the common
person could not __________.
12
Check Your Answers
1) _Constantine issued a decree that made
Christianity the official religion of
Europe
2) _Cardinals are second in the Catholic
Church hierarchy.
3) List one way the church acquired
economic power- appoint priests, no
selling church positions, collect tax
4) Why were church officials allowed to
keep records?- Can read and write in
Latin
13
Check Your Answers
5) The king was excommunicated from the
church and had to beg to get allowed
back in
6) There are 7 sacraments. The second
one is Confirmation.
7) People went on crusades for wealth and
adventure.
8) Art was meant to show scenes from the
Bible because the common person
could not read.