The Christian Church in Medieval Europe

From spiritual to secular power

The Early Years The biggest achievements of the Christian Church in the Early Middle Ages was the conversion The biggest achievements of the Christian Church in the Early Middle Ages was the conversion

of powerful Germanic Tribes.of powerful Germanic Tribes.

FOR A MEDAL! – What was the name of the first Frankish king to be converted to Christianity?FOR A MEDAL! – What was the name of the first Frankish king to be converted to Christianity? Clovis!Clovis!

On the Local Level Villages on manors typically included a church.Villages on manors typically included a church.

Each church was the center of Christianity for a particular Each church was the center of Christianity for a particular parish,parish, or local region. or local region.

The parish priest was often the only contact the average person had with the Christian Church.The parish priest was often the only contact the average person had with the Christian Church.

This priest had jobs to performThis priest had jobs to perform

They administered the They administered the sacraments,sacraments, or sacred rituals of the Church. or sacred rituals of the Church.

They were also the person responsible for instructing the Manor in the teachings of the They were also the person responsible for instructing the Manor in the teachings of the Church.Church.

To pay for church expenses, Christians were responsible for paying a To pay for church expenses, Christians were responsible for paying a tithe, tithe, which is a special tax which is a special tax equal to 1/10equal to 1/10thth of their income. of their income.

Seeking a More Spiritual Life

In the Early Middle Ages, groups of men and women decided that they would withdraw from life In the Early Middle Ages, groups of men and women decided that they would withdraw from life in the world to focus their mind and energy on spiritual goals.in the world to focus their mind and energy on spiritual goals.

These individuals came to be known as monks (men) and nuns (women)These individuals came to be known as monks (men) and nuns (women) Benedict of Nursia, organized a monastery in 530 in southern Italy and established his Benedict of Nursia, organized a monastery in 530 in southern Italy and established his

Benedictine Rule.Benedictine Rule. The Benedictine Rule was meant to regulate life in monasteries.The Benedictine Rule was meant to regulate life in monasteries.

It stressed three vows:It stressed three vows: Obedience to the abbot or abbess of the monastery.Obedience to the abbot or abbess of the monastery. PovertyPoverty Chastity (Purity)Chastity (Purity)

Monasteries would sometimes end up serving a local community by caring for the sick or Monasteries would sometimes end up serving a local community by caring for the sick or providing basic education. Some monks and nuns were missionaries, who attempted to providing basic education. Some monks and nuns were missionaries, who attempted to convert non-Christians.convert non-Christians.

Centers of Learning Of great importance was how monasteries and convents spent many years hand copying ancient Of great importance was how monasteries and convents spent many years hand copying ancient works.works.

They saw this as part of their spiritual training.They saw this as part of their spiritual training.

In doing this, they preserved a great deal of the ancient learning (particularly Roman).In doing this, they preserved a great deal of the ancient learning (particularly Roman).

One monk, the Venerable (aged and sacred) Bede, introduced the ideas of AD and BC to historyOne monk, the Venerable (aged and sacred) Bede, introduced the ideas of AD and BC to history ..

The Political Power of the Church Rises

In Catholic lore, the Pope is the Vicar of Christ, meaning he is the representative of Jesus on In Catholic lore, the Pope is the Vicar of Christ, meaning he is the representative of Jesus on Earth.Earth.

Eventually, medieval popes would begin to claim Eventually, medieval popes would begin to claim papal supremacy,papal supremacy, or authority over all secular or authority over all secular (no religious) rulers.(no religious) rulers.

Many of the highest level churchmen were at the same time nobles.Many of the highest level churchmen were at the same time nobles. This means they had manors and fiefs of their own.This means they had manors and fiefs of their own.

Since church clergy were often the only educated and thoroughly literate people in society, Since church clergy were often the only educated and thoroughly literate people in society, government rulers would appoint them to important government positions.government rulers would appoint them to important government positions.

The Authority of the Church To help ensure their power, popes developed a body of law for the Church and Christian To help ensure their power, popes developed a body of law for the Church and Christian community, called community, called canon law.canon law.

Anyone who disobeyed canon law, risked possible Anyone who disobeyed canon law, risked possible excommunicationexcommunication..

This was very serious, it meant that no Christian, anywhere was to have ANY communication This was very serious, it meant that no Christian, anywhere was to have ANY communication with you.with you.

If important individuals displeased high church officials, they were sometimes threatened with an If important individuals displeased high church officials, they were sometimes threatened with an interdict,interdict, a mass excommunication that effect entire regions, even kingdoms. a mass excommunication that effect entire regions, even kingdoms.

Church Reforms As the power of the church grew, so did its wealth.As the power of the church grew, so did its wealth. Some priests, monks and nuns ignored their vows of poverty. Priests, who were still allowed to marry, would spend more time on family affairs thanPriests, who were still allowed to marry, would spend more time on family affairs than church ones.

The Reforms of Berno, Abbot of ClunyThe Reforms of Berno, Abbot of Cluny Abbot Berno set out to end abuses by the clergy.Abbot Berno set out to end abuses by the clergy.

The revived the use of the Benedictine RuleThe revived the use of the Benedictine Rule

Nobles would no longer be allowed to interfere with the affairs of a monasteryNobles would no longer be allowed to interfere with the affairs of a monastery

Only monks who proved they were devoted to their vows were allowed into the Only monks who proved they were devoted to their vows were allowed into the monastery at Cluny.monastery at Cluny.

These reforms were called the Clunaic Reforms and were widely adopted.These reforms were called the Clunaic Reforms and were widely adopted.

In 1073 AD, Pope Gregory VII, a former monk himself, extended these reforms to the entire In 1073 AD, Pope Gregory VII, a former monk himself, extended these reforms to the entire church.church.

He outlawed marriage for priests.He outlawed marriage for priests.

Church offices could not longer be sold, a practice that was called Church offices could not longer be sold, a practice that was called simony.simony.

The pope will also demand that Church officials, not kings or nobles, must choose church The pope will also demand that Church officials, not kings or nobles, must choose church officials.officials.

This demand will spark a bitter conflict between the Pope and an Emperor.This demand will spark a bitter conflict between the Pope and an Emperor.

The Role of Jews in the Medieval World

Ever since the Roman’s scattered the Jews from Judea, there have been Jewish Ever since the Roman’s scattered the Jews from Judea, there have been Jewish communities throughout Europe.communities throughout Europe.

Jews had a long tradition of maintaining the oral and written laws that were important Jews had a long tradition of maintaining the oral and written laws that were important to their faith. Thus, Jews tended to be well educated by the standard of the times.to their faith. Thus, Jews tended to be well educated by the standard of the times.

However, around the late 1000s, persecution of Jews increased throughout Europe.However, around the late 1000s, persecution of Jews increased throughout Europe. Among the limitations were restrictions placed on occupations Jews could have.Among the limitations were restrictions placed on occupations Jews could have.

Ironically, one of the main occupations left open to Jews was money lending.Ironically, one of the main occupations left open to Jews was money lending. Christians were forbidden from loaning or borrowing money by Church teachings.Christians were forbidden from loaning or borrowing money by Church teachings.

The Church considered loaning money for profit, The Church considered loaning money for profit, usury.usury. It was a forbidden practice. It was a forbidden practice. Later, when Later, when anti-Semitism, anti-Semitism, or hatred for Jews, increased, people began to blame or hatred for Jews, increased, people began to blame

Western Europe’s economic troubles on Jews.Western Europe’s economic troubles on Jews. Many Jews fled to Eastern Europe where they found much greater freedoms and Many Jews fled to Eastern Europe where they found much greater freedoms and

Jewish communities thrived until modern times.Jewish communities thrived until modern times.