ChristianityChristianity

The transition from early to late The transition from early to late Middle Ages is marked by the Middle Ages is marked by the

growth of the growth of the

Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church

Increasing Importance of the ChurchIncreasing Importance of the Church

The The Catholic ChurchCatholic Church is a unifying is a unifying institution.institution.

The largest landholder in EuropeThe largest landholder in Europe Land = Money = POWERLand = Money = POWER

Controlled the PATH to HEAVEN!!!Controlled the PATH to HEAVEN!!!

How Important?How Important?

The Catholic Church dominated daily The Catholic Church dominated daily life:life: 7 7 SacramentsSacraments guided Catholics through life guided Catholics through life

1 Sacrament for each “step” in life1 Sacrament for each “step” in life Catholics take Catholics take PilgrimagesPilgrimages to show devotion to show devotion

(faith)(faith) Long trips to sacred & important sitesLong trips to sacred & important sites

ArtArt

Medieval art reflected Medieval art reflected many religious themes.many religious themes.

Paintings and sculptures Paintings and sculptures of Christ and Christian of Christ and Christian saints were used to help saints were used to help people worship.people worship.

The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales Chaucer’s tale about a pilgrimage to Chaucer’s tale about a pilgrimage to

Canterbury.Canterbury. Thomas a’ Becket was an ArchbishopThomas a’ Becket was an Archbishop

King Henry was unhappy church authority King Henry was unhappy church authority and powerand power

Becket was killed at the altar of the Becket was killed at the altar of the Canterbury Cathedral.Canterbury Cathedral.

Many miracles happen here afterwardsMany miracles happen here afterwards

Going to ChurchGoing to Church Each manor, town, and city had a Each manor, town, and city had a

chapel, church, or cathedralchapel, church, or cathedral CathedralsCathedrals were awe-inspiring masterpieces were awe-inspiring masterpieces

Took many years to buildTook many years to build Huge buildingsHuge buildings

Art Art was meant to help commoners understand was meant to help commoners understand their faith and translate religious storiestheir faith and translate religious stories

All major All major holidays and eventsholidays and events were celebrated were celebrated in front of the local church.in front of the local church.

GargoylesGargoyles

Waterspouts to keep Waterspouts to keep water away from the water away from the walls of buildingswalls of buildings

Usually carved as beastsUsually carved as beasts Believed they were Believed they were

warnings that devils and warnings that devils and evil spirits would catch evil spirits would catch you if you did not attend you if you did not attend churchchurch

MOST importantlyMOST importantly The Catholic Church was a source of The Catholic Church was a source of

learning and educationlearning and education Clergy (priests, monks, etc.) were most likely Clergy (priests, monks, etc.) were most likely

to be educated (few others were educated)to be educated (few others were educated) COPIED TEXTS, WORKED AS SCRIBESCOPIED TEXTS, WORKED AS SCRIBES

Much of their authority comes from their Much of their authority comes from their education, ability to read, publish information, education, ability to read, publish information, and guide people to and guide people to heavenheaven..

Illuminated ManuscriptsIlluminated Manuscripts

Decorated with ornate Decorated with ornate details, gold and silverdetails, gold and silver

Manuscripts were often Manuscripts were often religious documentsreligious documents

Monasteries had large Monasteries had large collections of collections of manuscripts and booksmanuscripts and books