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
Standards Used
7.6 Students analyze the geographic, political,
economic, religious, and social structures of the
civilizations of Medieval Europe.
7.6.2 Describe the spread of Christianity north of the Alps and
the roles played by the early church and by monasteries in its
diffusion after the fall of the western half of the Roman Empire.
7.6.4 Demonstrate an understanding of the conflict and
cooperation between the Papacy and European monarchs (e.g.
Charlemagne, Gregory VII, and Emperor Henry IV).
7.6.6 Discuss the causes and abuse of the religious Crusades
and their effects on the Christian, Muslim, and Jewish
populations in Europe, with emphasis on the increasing contact
by Europeans with cultures of the Eastern Mediterranean world.
7.6.8 Understand the importance of the Catholic Church as a
political, intellectual, and aesthetic institution (e.g., founding of
universities, political and spiritual roles of the clergy, creation of
monastic and mendicant religious orders, preservation of the
Latin language and religious texts, St. Thomas Aquinas’s
synthesis of classical philosophy with Christian theology, and the
concept of (“natural law”).
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OBJECTIVES OF CH 3
• describe the structure and role of
the Roman Catholic Church in
medieval Europe and the influence of
the church on art, architecture, and
education.
• summarize the conflict between
Pope Gregory VII & Emperor Henry IV
• compare and contrast the role of
monks and friars in medieval society.
• research and organize ideas for an
illuminated poem that expresses your
ideas clearly, demonstrating an
understanding of grammar, structure,
and the forms and genres of writing.
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OVERVIEW OF CH 3
In this lesson, students learn about the
Roman Catholic Church’s influence on
life in medieval Europe. In a Writing for
Understanding activity, they “visit” six
medieval sites, such as the Chartres
Cathedral in France and the University
of Bologna in Italy, to learn about the
church’s influence.
Students then create “illuminated
poems” describing what they have
learned.
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.
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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
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
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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
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
o
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 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
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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