What was the Church like in the Middle Ages?

During the high Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church became organized into an elaborate hierarchy with the pope as the head in western Europe. He establish supreme power. Many innovations took place in the creative arts during the high Middle Ages. Literacy was no longer merely requirement among the clergy.

How the church was organized in the Middle Ages?

Following the pope, in order of rank, there were bishops, priests, monks and nuns. In the latter part of the Middle Ages, the pope, as head of the church, had much influence over the king and total control of the clergy. In the latter part of the Middle Ages, people were heavily taxed to support the church.

What were churches made of in the Middle Ages?

The entrance foyer at the west end is called the narthex, but this is not found in all medieval churches.

How did the Church have power in the Middle Ages?

The Church had the power to tax, and its laws had to be obeyed. Those who held contrary ideas were considered heretics and could be subject to various forms of punishment, including execution. The Church in the Middle Ages was to be feared and obeyed, and its influence spread into every area of society.

What did the Church do in the feudal system?

They decreed that all monarchs in Europe had to obey the pope. Church leaders also held positions of power as feudal lords and as advisers to kings and nobles. The church preached that people should obey the laws of kings unless these laws con- flicted with church laws.

What were churches made of?

A simple church may be built of mud brick, wattle and daub, split logs or rubble. It may be roofed with thatch, shingles, corrugated iron or banana leaves. However, church congregations, from the 4th century onwards, have sought to construct church buildings that were both permanent and aesthetically pleasing.

What problems faced the Church in the Middle Ages?

Still, the three biggest problems, as Church reformers saw them, were the fact that many priests were violating Church law and getting married, that bishops had been selling positions in the Church – a process called simony – and that local Kings had too much authority over the appointment of bishops.

Why was Christianity so important in the Middle Ages?

Christianity in the middle ages dominated the lives of both peasants and the nobility. Religious institutors including the Church and the monasteries became wealthy and influential given the fact that the state allocated a significant budget for religious activities.

How was the church corrupt in the Middle Ages?

Indulgences: The most lucrative and controversial corrupt practice used to raise funds for the Church was the selling of indulgences. Developed during the 13th century, indulgences were based on the idea that a truly repentant sinner could work to reduce his or her years in purgatory.