...The Medieval Church Draft The medieval church was a powerhouse of economic and political influence. Before St Francis challenged the church, it was focused on money and power; and had control over everyone’s lives in 13th Century Europe. St Francis of Assisi, through his beliefs, values and attitudes challenged the medieval church to return to gospel values. In this essay, an explanation of the medieval church values; an exploration of St Francis’ values and beliefs; and an evaluation of his attitudes and actions against the almighty medieval church will be discussed. Prior to St Francis, the medieval church highly valued wealth, power and popularity over God and the gospel values. Their power and wealth rivalled that of Kings and Queens. People believed that God was the most important thing in life and they spent their lives dedicated to prayer and worship; the church gained power from people wanting to find salvation. In 1076, King Henry the Fourth was...
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...The Role of the Church in the Development of Modern Medicine throughout the Middle Ages During the Middle Ages, the culture and society of Europe and the Western world was under the control of the Church. The religious aspects of medieval European peoples were a great consideration in the matters of the body and health care. The majority of medical knowledge and research was under the influence and followed the expressed ideas of the Church. As the hold of the Church on society began to disintegrate, medicine was able to move from medieval practices influenced by religious belief into modern medicine, based upon observation and evidence. Causes of disease and illness were now understood and scientists were able to start searching for cures because restrictions that prevented modern medical theories from being discovered were lifted. Paracelsus discovered that agents outside the body caused illness. The study of the human anatomy was now practiced and became an essential part of medical knowledge, giving way towards new modern advancements such as blood transfusions and surgeries. Da Vinci conducted many autopsies and constructed detailed drawings of the human anatomy, which had never been studied earlier. Medical knowledge was no longer different and divided into sects but was now centralized under the modern scientific teachings taught to doctors in universities everywhere. As the culture of the Middle Ages moved away from the Church and religion so did scientific knowledge...
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...writes of medieval Europe and the emergence of what was known as a Persecuting Society. In the introduction of the book, he summarizes what he means by a Persecuting Society by saying: “Why were heretics persecuted in the thirteenth century? The question was very popular and the answer with great confidence and near unanimity, ‘because there were so many of them’. The existence of people whose religious convictions differed from those approved by the church was in itself the cause of the persecution. The diffusion of their teachings and the appearance of their organization in the Rhineland, the Low Countries, the Languedoc and the cities of Lombardy and Tuscany during the eleventh and twelfth...
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...A World Lit Only by Fire, by William Manchester, discusses the medieval mind and the Renaissance. In the section entitled “The Shattering,” Manchester shows us several events that “shattered” many beliefs during the Renaissance era, which had been established in the Medieval era. Most of the beliefs at the time were related to the Church because of the large influence religion had throughout the Medieval and Renaissance life. One of the first major events which caused the “shattering” not only changed beliefs and life, but also had a lasting impact on the future of Christianity. Although this revolution did not happen immediately, it was very impactful on future Renaissance life. This huge event was the propagation of the works of Erasmus....
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...submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree BA (Hons) History, in the Department of History and Economic History, Manchester Metropolitan University”, 29 March 2014 Cultural Changes and the Growth of Christianity in Medieval and Early Modern England By Janine Scambler I certify that, apart from the guidance provided by my supervisor and the references cited in the text and bibliography, this dissertation is the sole work of Janine Scambler and has not been previously submitted as part of the assessment requirements for any academic reward. Signed: Contents Abstract 3 Introduction 4 Chapter 1: Visual Culture 8 Chapter 2: Ancient Practices 21 Chapter 3: Beliefs and Superstition 30 Conclusion 41 Bibliography 43 Appendix 56 Abstract This dissertation will demonstrate cultural changes in England through the period c.700-1660. The changes studied will focus on visual sources, or visual culture; ancient practices, or festivals and the cult of saints; and superstition and belief. It will show how changes occurred around political and religious change, and that different areas were affected by different factors. Introduction This dissertation will assess the extent to which ancient beliefs and practices survived the introduction of Christianity and their subsequent development in England. This will be achieved through the study of visual culture; the survival of ancient practices; and an investigation into superstition and...
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...The medieval church dominated the lives of people during the 15th century, the population all believed in God. The Catholic churches’ influences reached almost every aspect of people’s lives and its religious observances gave shape to the calendar rituals such as baptism, confirmation, marriage, the holy orders and last rites. Its teachings underpinned mainstream beliefs about morality and the meaning of the afterlife. Therefore, the local or Parish church stood as a fundamental part of the community. The clearly delineated layouts divided the church into two sections as can be seen from examples given of the floor plans of the church of Partrishow in the Brecon Beacons, St Helen’s church in the Norfolk broads and the parish church at Hailes. (dvd ) The main body of the church called the Nave, is where the congregation would have gathered. Here would be side alters and congregational seating, the pulpit and the font. The Chancel, considered the sacred space of the priests and cut off from the rest of the church by the rood screen, was an important aspect of the church as it divided the congregation from the priest performing the mass. Decorated with carved biblical scenes and symbols such as...
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...Assignment # 3 10 July 2014 1. What changes took place in the church and in its relationship to secular society between 1200 and 1450? While reading Chapter 6, it discussed the middle ages and how it was marked by the division of Western Christianity in the Reformation. Christianity began to lift Europe from the Dark Ages, during the reign of Clovis. When the Roman Empire ended around 500 A.D., the power of the Catholic Church began to diminish. Christian society was held to have two aspects: the church and the state. Even though the popes and secular rulers had strong ties between each other, there were also conflicts that occurred. For instance, the church felt as if they were responsible for the souls of the people including the emperor. So as a result, the church claimed supremacy over the state as well as the administration of the Catholic Church. This was in conflict with the secular rulers who sought to protect and expand their power within their territory. Next, the church had a difficult time adjusting to the fact that during the Renaissance period, the demands focused on money instead of allegiances. Some church leaders also started to violate the biblical laws that they were supposed to uphold. Instead of the church providing spiritual leadership and direction for the changing society, it became preoccupied with its administration staff and with the collection of revenue. However, although the Catholic Church was weakening, the popularity of religion throughout all parts...
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... In Western Europe, the chief political repercussion of frequent Viking raids was .an increase in the power of local aristocrats to whom threatened populations turned for effective protection. Feudalism of medieval Europe was primarily a complex system of vassalage by which the weak sought protection and sustenance from powerful local nobles. Feudalism in England under William I differed from feudalism in most other countries in that he required sub-vassals to swear allegiance to him. William of Normandy's survey of his new royal possessions in England was recorded in the Doomesday Book. By the thirteenth century, a previous acceptance of homosexuality by church and society had been replaced by Christian persecution of homosexuals due to all of the following: the writings of Thomas Aquinas; a rising tide of intolerance in Europe; the identification of homosexuals with other detested minority groups in society. The "agricultural revolution" of the High Middle Ages was in part brought about by a change from the two-field to the three-field system. The Magyars were originally from western Asia. Students in medieval universities often engaged in quarrels with one another and in confrontations with towns-people. Concerning the curriculum of the medieval university students studied the trivium and quadrivium. The Frankish palace official, Charles Martel, successfully defended the civilization of the new western European kingdoms in 732 by...
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...Heresiarch: Ending the Socialism of Language with Vernacular Language Could the use of Latin have been a means of socialism of language? Many 12th century writers thought so. With the fall of the Roman Empire came the desire from the common people to let go of some of the common practices and beliefs of Rome and to reach back to their native tongue. For some it was to gain an understanding that had been unclear in the Latin language. For others, it was a new beginning for national realization. The literary movement of Italy helped to shape the medieval climate and eventually bring about the ending of what could possibly have been used as a socialistic language. Latin Heresiarch: Ending the Socialism of Language with Vernacular Language What is Latin? Is it possible that without Latin, English wouldn’t even exist? Latin is a descendant of the Proto-Indo European language that originated in the Italian peninsula. Even though Latin is considered to be a dead language, it is still used to create new words in many languages including English. During the time period 1200 AD Latin went through a lot of phases such as the development of the literary movement, the medieval climate, and the socialism of language. These things along are why Latin is one of the oldest languages of all time. Development of the Literary Movement Latin owes its dominance to the rise of the Roman Empire, but with the demise of Rome comes the demise of the Latin language around 1200 AD. At...
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...essays are divided into the following sections: Reading, Representing, Negotiating, and Living. These chapters highlight the challenges that have been faced by early medieval specialists in terms of the sources available to them. Reading the sources is perhaps the most challenging as seen by Geary. Geary advocates for a triple process of evaluation: a traditional interpretation of written sources, examination of how...
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...------------------------------------------------- How does the role of a priest within medieval Christianity compare to the role of an imam in medieval Islam? In order to fully compare the roles of a medieval priest and a medieval imam, it is necessary to fully analyse their purpose as a leader within their religion, their influence upon the people of that religion in terms of their relationship with God and also to acknowledge their irreligious purpose in medieval life. Between the two, it is perhaps easy to argue that the role of a medieval priest is far greater than that of a medieval imam, but before this conclusion is jumped to, it is important to ensure both roles are looked at anachronistically due to the ever-changing nature of religion. In order to answer this question it is important to view the roles of a priest and an imam, not individually but in regard to the other to find a true comparison. In terms of looking at a medieval priest, perhaps one of the most important things for contemporaries is that essentially, the priest was representative of god, hence in a time of deep-seated spiritualism, his role was vital to any community, and placed him and his clergy amongst the first estate, the most important in society. This idea of a representation of God comes form his specific acts that he could partake in, particularly the role to ‘absolve men and women of their sins for the act of confession’. Obviously this was incredibly important, and if we consider this...
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...The "Dark Ages" in western Europe refers to the period _____. (a) after the creation of the Feudal system (b) soon after the assassination of Julius Caesar (c) followed the collapse of the Roman Empire (d.) strengthening the central authority of Rome within the Empire. Which was not a result of the Germanic invasions of the Roman Empire? (a) Raising the level of civilization (c) Curtailing trade (b) Overthrowing the Roman government (d) Destroying many fine buildings The tithe was _____. (a.) an asylum for the poor. (c.) a monastic order. (b.) a tax levied by the Church. (d.) a special vestment for nuns. The Holy Inquisition was established to _____. (a.) combat heresy. (c.) stamp out Church corruption. (b.) convert the Jews. (d.) punish traitors to the king. Whenever the Church uses its power of excommunication, the victim _____. (a.) hunted down for immediate execution. (b.) loses diocese and all the attached privileges. (c.) is charged an...
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...dominance, and the implications of the papacy. Reasons for Rome Throughout the first centuries of Christian history, five cities emerged as epicenters for the church; Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Rome, and Constantinople. The Edict of Milan in 313 AD recognized Christianity as a legitimate religious entity. “The proclamation …assured Christians of legal rights (including the right to organize churches),” It was in this early stage of formation as an organization that the church took a similar structure to the government. The key leaders of the regional churches rose to power. The five bishops of the previous listed churches were looked to as geographical region leaders. Those five attempted to establish a stable structure upon which to build. However, the bishops would often disagree. From the time of the Edict of Milan until Constantine moved the capital of the empire away from Rome, the Roman bishop was a natural thought for the leader of the young church. Being at the center of the political, social, and economical scene allowed the Roman bishop the level of influence needed. After the political powers moved from Rome to Constantinople, the only remaining person of influence was the bishop. During that time there was no political or social structure, therefore the bishop was looked to for direction. “So the Church, in its turn, became one constructive thing which emerged from the welter of...
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...The worldview of the medieval Christian reader in terms of the existence, experience, and explanation of magic and supernatural events Magic and witchcraft was not only something familiar to the medieval Christian reader, it was also a part of their lives. The belief in magic and magical powers dates back to the earliest recorded history; people from ancient times have been trying to achieve different goals using supernatural powers. Unlike modern people who tend to question the credibility of every fact, medieval people genuinely believed in the existence of magic and did not question it at all. For the British, magic is a part of their creation and it was related to the Gods since they believed in the “Age of Miracles”, during which all kinds of magic were possible. Hence, there are many elements that might appear odd to the contemporary reader, but would seem perfectly normal to a person from medieval times. For example, a reader from the XXI c. would likely question the possibility of transmutation occurring in “The Three Werewolves”, or the nutritious capability of the magical apples in “From the Voyage of Mael Duin”, in contrast to the medieval reader. Medieval literature consists of the recorded stories that people used to tell each other most often. Most Celtic stories are told by Christian churches because many of the Celtic themes overlap with Christian beliefs such as the ability to survive fire, to breathe under water, to have power over nature, etc. – properties...
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...After visiting both the Medieval times and the Renaissance, I consider myself a Renaissance person. I prefer the Renaissance over Medieval times because during the renaissance period people were not to concern with the church. The church was the reason the Christian world was divided into many religions. in the Medieval times, people were competing against each other because of their different beliefs about the church and God. On the other hand, renaissance stressed the significance of the individual and the individual talent. in addition, while medieval scholars had studied ancient Greek and roman documents to learn about god and Christianity, renaissance scholars studied them to discover more about human nature. Also renaissance art had more emotion and brighter colors. Artist also used perspectives and more oil paints. In the medieval times/middle ages, there was a lack of perspective and less emotion. In the renaissance period there was a more advanced technology. People had access to the printing press and other new inventions. Another thing I liked was that in the renaissance period most people got married because they were in love and not because someone else choose their partner as it was in medieval times. Another characteristic of the renaissance time I loved was, the fact that woman were being educated. Explain a reason why Native Americans were populated diminshed. The impact Europeans made when coming in contact with Americans...
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