Christianity and Medieval Christianity and Medieval SocietySociety

Say it all together…Everyone wanted to go to

• HEAVEN and there was only one way to get there.

Raise your hand if you can name or describe some of the places of

worship in the Fresno area.

Please turn to page 269 in the text.

The Church Shapes Society and Politics

• Nearly everyone who lived in Europe during the Middle Ages was Christian.

• Christianity was central to EVERY part of daily life.

• Church teachings were very influential in European culture and politics.

The Church and Society

Where do you go shopping?

Where do you go for entertainment?

Where do you go to worship?

In the Middle Ages, all of this took place at the local church.

Some people went on pilgrimages to visit holy sites if they could afford to travel.

How about vacations?How about vacations?

• If you were really, really lucky, you might be able to afford to travel.

• Where do you think people might have gone when they could travel? (Hint – it is going to have to do with religion).

• A pilgrimage! A journey to a religious location.

• Please turn to page 270 in the text.

The Church and Politics

• Many people left land to the church when they died. In fact, the church was one of the largest landholders in Europe.

• Why do you think people would leave land to the church instead of family and friends?

(I think we all know the answer).

The ClergyThe Clergy• Church officials whose teachings were Church officials whose teachings were

very influential in European culture and very influential in European culture and politics (government).politics (government).

MonksMonks and and FriarsFriars

• Lived apart from people

• Built monasteries• Collected, stored, and

copied Christian texts• Unhappy with politics

in church• Members of religious

order (dedicate their lives to religion and follow common rules).

• Lived and worked among people

• Owned no property• Preached and begged• Unhappy with politics

in church• Members of religious

order (dedicate their lives to religion and follow common rules).

St. Francis of AssisiSt. Francis of Assisi

• A friar that had been born to wealth, but gave A friar that had been born to wealth, but gave everything to live a simple life.everything to live a simple life.

• People began to copy his lifestyle and the People began to copy his lifestyle and the Franciscan Order was formed.Franciscan Order was formed.

Universities Are BuiltUniversities Are BuiltThey taught religion, law, medicine and They taught religion, law, medicine and

philosophy. The wanted to connect philosophy. The wanted to connect religious faith and learning. (Pg. 273)religious faith and learning. (Pg. 273)

Thomas AquinasThomas Aquinas• A Dominican philosopher who believed that A Dominican philosopher who believed that

faith and reason could work together.faith and reason could work together.

• Most consider him the greatest thinker of the Most consider him the greatest thinker of the Middle Ages.Middle Ages.

• Taught that God created a law that governed Taught that God created a law that governed how the world operated called Natural Law.how the world operated called Natural Law.

The Church and the ArtsThe Church and the Arts• Medieval churches were filled with objects Medieval churches were filled with objects

created to show respect for God.created to show respect for God.

• Please turn to page 274 in the text.Please turn to page 274 in the text.

Christianity and Medieval Society

Government

Crusades Education and Society

Art and Architecture

The Church and Monarchy often worked together but sometimes

were rivals.

The Pope calledfor Christians toretake the Holy

Land

The church helped guide learning and

daily life.

Christianity inspired great forms of

art and architecture.

Christianity and Medieval Society

Government

Crusades Education and Society

Art and Architecture

____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________