MR. DUNN’S WORLD HISTORY CLASS
NOTES AND OUTLINE
2/9/2016
UNIT 1: EUROPE DURING MEDIEVAL TIMES
Chapter 3: The Role of the Church in
Medieval Europe
Reading for Understanding
Read Section 3.2 and answer the questions below. Then, for
Sections 3.3 to 3.8, do the following:
1. Fill in the section title, with the illuminated letter as the
first letter.
2. Create a simple drawing below the illuminated letter to
represent an important aspect of that topic.
3. Answer the questions for the section.
3.1 INTRODUCTION p. 31
 Picture is an example of an illuminated manuscript.
o In medieval Europe, some church officials copied
manuscripts such as the Bible, books of prayers and
hymns, and writings of the ancient Greeks and Romans
and decorated the pages with colorful drawings.
o The first letter on a page was often large and ornate.
o You will use “illuminated manuscripts” to record
information about the Roman Catholic Church and its
influence on life in medieval Europe.
3.2 THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH TAKES SHAPE p. 32
 Christian religion is one of the most impt legacies of Rome.
o Christians are followers of Jesus Christ, son of God
o 1st they were PERSECUTED
Document1
Page 1 of 10
MR. DUNN’S WORLD HISTORY CLASS
NOTES AND OUTLINE
2/9/2016
o In 313 emperor Constantine issued a decree allowing
freedom of worship
o In 395 it became official religion of Rome
o Start of Middle Ages, all Christians were part of Roman
Catholic Church
 Importance of church in early days:
o One of few ties to more stable times
o The Church provided leadership & even organized
distribution of food
o Monasteries, or communities of monks provided
hospitality
o Monks also copied and preserved old texts, helping to
keep learning alive
3.2.1 the Organization of the Roman Catholic Church P. 32-33
 Church organization was modeled on the structure of the
old Roman Gov.
 By High Middle Ages there was a *system in which all
clergy had a rank:
1. Pope – Bishop of Rome = supreme head of Roman
Catholic Church
2. Cardinals – were his closest advisors
3. Archbishops – oversaw large or important areas =
archdioceses
4. Bishops – governed = dioceses (cathedral)
5. Priest – head of parish with a church
Document1
Page 2 of 10
MR. DUNN’S WORLD HISTORY CLASS
NOTES AND OUTLINE
2/9/2016
3.2.2 The Increasing Power of the Church P. 33
 The Church acquired great economic power:
o By 1050 was the largest landowner
o Monarchs gave some of the land
o Some land was taken by force
o They added to wealth by collecting a tithe = 1/10th
of wealth, produce, or labor to help support church
 The Church also wielded great political power
o Latin was official language of church
o Was only common language in Europe
o Since priests were only ones who could read they
kept records + became advisors
 The Church’s power brought conflict with European
Monarchs:
o Between Pope Gregory VII + Henry IV (Holy Roman
Emperor)
o By 1073 priest could not marry
o Outlawing the selling of church offices
o Banned practice of Kings being able to appoint
priests, bishops, and heads of monasteries
o Henry wanted to still make appointments, Gregory
said NO!
o Henry was excommunicated
o In the end Henry begged for forgiveness and gave
the Pope the sole power to appoint
 Now you will get ready for the SIX STATION TOUR
Document1
Page 3 of 10
MR. DUNN’S WORLD HISTORY CLASS
NOTES AND OUTLINE
2/9/2016
3.2 The Christian Church Takes Shape
How was the Roman Catholic Church organized during the
Middle Ages?
Each local parish was led by a priest.
Parishes were groupie together into
dioceses, which were led by bishops.
Archbishops oversaw groups of dioceses
called archdioceses. The pope, or bishop
of Rome, was the leader over all.
What role did the church play in government in medieval
Europe?
Church officials kept records and acted
as advisors to monarchs. The church was
the largest landholder and added to its
power by collecting taxes.
What was the subject of the conflict between Pope Gregory VII
and the Holy Roman emperor, Henry IV?
Gregory banned the practice of kings
making appointments to church
positions.
Document1
Page 4 of 10
MR. DUNN’S WORLD HISTORY CLASS
NOTES AND OUTLINE
2/9/2016
GUIDE TO READING NOTES CH 3 P16
Sec 3.3 Sacraments and Salvation
During the Middle Ages, what was the purpose of
sacraments, according to the teachings of the church?
The church taught that Christians had to
receive sacraments in order to achieve
salvation.
What seven sacraments were administered by the church?
The seven sacraments were
baptism,
confirmation,
Eucharist,
matrimony,
Holy orders,
penance,
and extreme unction.
Document1
Page 5 of 10
MR. DUNN’S WORLD HISTORY CLASS
NOTES AND OUTLINE
2/9/2016
GUIDE TO READING NOTES CH 3 P16
Sec 3.4 Pilgrimages and Crusades
Why did people undertake pilgrimages during the Middle
Ages? What were some of the popular destinations of
pilgrims?
People went on pilgrimages to show
devotion to God, as an act of penance, or
to find a cure for an illness. Popular
destinations included Jerusalem, Rome,
and Canterbury.
What were the Crusades?
The Crusades were military expeditions
to the land where Jesus had lived. There
purpose was to attempt to take back that
land from Muslim control.
Document1
Page 6 of 10
MR. DUNN’S WORLD HISTORY CLASS
NOTES AND OUTLINE
2/9/2016
GUIDE TO READING NOTES CH 3 P17
Sec 3.5 Art and Architecture
In what ways did the art of medieval Europe reflect the
influence of the Roman Catholic Church?
Since most people could not read, art
helped them understand Biblical stories.
What were cathedrals? What were some of their key
architectural features?
Cathedrals were large churches and the
seat of a bishop. Some key features
included the nave, transepts, flying
buttresses, gargoyles, pillars, and
stained glass windows.
Document1
Page 7 of 10
MR. DUNN’S WORLD HISTORY CLASS
NOTES AND OUTLINE
2/9/2016
GUIDE TO READING NOTES CH 3 P17
Sec 3.6 Education
What role did the Roman Catholic Church play in education
during the Middle Ages?
Most schooling took place in
monasteries, convents, and cathedrals.
Much time was spent memorizing prayers
and passages from the Bible in Latin.
Who was Thomas Aquinas? What did he try to do with
theology and ancient philosophy?
Aquinas was an Italian scholar of
philosophy and theology. He tried to
bring together ancient philosophical
ideas about reason and medieval
theological beliefs about faith.
Document1
Page 8 of 10
MR. DUNN’S WORLD HISTORY CLASS
NOTES AND OUTLINE
2/9/2016
GUIDE TO READING NOTES CH 3 P18
Sec 3.7 Holidays
What events did medieval holidays honor?
Medieval holidays honored important
events in the life of Jesus, such as his
birth and Resurrection. Holidays also
honored Christian saints and important
religious concepts.
What were some of the ways in which people celebrated
holidays?
People celebrated holidays by attending
church and with feasts, music, dancing,
games, and other forms of entertainment.
Document1
Page 9 of 10
MR. DUNN’S WORLD HISTORY CLASS
NOTES AND OUTLINE
2/9/2016
GUIDE TO READING NOTES CH 3 P18
Sec 3.8 Monks, Nuns, and Mendicants
What was the monastic life like?
Monks and nuns took vows of poverty,
chastity, and obedience. They spent their
lives in work, study, and prayer, living in
separate communities called monasteries
and convents.
How were the lives of mendicant friars different from monks?
Friars did not shut themselves off from
the rest of the world. They traveled
among ordinary people to preach.
Document1
Page 10 of 10