Religious Order
of the Middle Ages
Background Information
Medieval Lives in the Middle Ages
What is Christianity?
The Catholic Church
The Power of the Catholic Church
The Catholic church was a very powerful institution that had its own laws and lands. The Catholic Church also imposed taxes. In addition to collecting taxes, the Church accepted gifts of all kinds from individuals who wanted special favors or wanted to be certain of a place in heaven. The power of the Catholic Church grew with its wealth. Once its power grew, the Catholic Church was then able to influence the kings and rulers of Europe. Opposition to the Catholic Church resulted in excommunication. Excommunication is a religious censure used to deprive, suspend, or limit membership in a religious community or (as in the case of the Catholic Church) to restrict certain rights within it. This meant that the person who was excommunicated could not attend any church services, receive the sacraments and would go straight to hell when they died.
The Pope
The Job of the Pope. The Pope is the leader of the Roman Catholic church. He is elected by the cardinals for life. The Popes of the Middle Ages became powerful and highly influential. The religious fervor of the Popes of the Middle Ages transferred into medieval culture.
Bishops
Cathedrals
What are they?
Cathedrals are Christian churches which contain the official "seat" or throne of a bishop. They were laid out in the shape of the Christian symbol of the cross. They had a Gothic architectural style with flying buttresses, pointed arches, stained glass windows, rose windows, and gargoyles.Flying Buttresses
Pointed Arches
Stained Glass Windows
Stained Glass windows had many purposes. For instance, to let in light, to add to the spiritual mood, and to teach bible lessons to those who couldn't read or write.