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The Power of the Christian Church in Medieval Western Europe

Explore how the Christian church helped unify Western Europe after Rome's collapse, its economic and political influence, the role of Nuns and Monks, and its impact on everyday life. Understand the significance of excommunication and the church's powerful presence in the Middle Ages.

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The Power of the Christian Church in Medieval Western Europe

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  1. 1/8 Focus: • The Christian church helped to unify western Europe after the collapse of the Roman Empire. • Important Terms: • Papal, Secular, Excommunicate • Do Now: • Identify one effect that the fall of Rome and invasions by Germanic tribes had on western Europe?

  2. The Middle Ages Germanic Kingdoms The Power of the Church

  3. The Church in the Middle Ages • Two major Christian Churches • Orthodox Christian Church • Byzantine • Roman Catholic Church • Western Europe

  4. The Church in the Middle Ages • Catholic Church led by a pope based out of Rome • Papacy; Papal • Believed by followers to be the spiritual representative of Jesus on Earth

  5. The Church in the Middle Ages • Catholic church provided order and security after the fall of Rome • Served the spiritual needs of followers • Became a powerful political force • Had authority over powerful rulers

  6. Nuns and Monks • Devoted their life to prayer and good works • Lived in monasteries or convents • Religious communities • Had to follow strict rules • Benedictine rule

  7. Nuns and Monks • Took an oath of poverty • Provided social support to communities • Helped the sick and the poor • Educated children • Preserved ancient writings by copying Greek and Roman texts

  8. A Medieval Monk’s Day

  9. Nuns and Monks • Missionaries • Worked to convert Germanic tribes and Celts in Britain • Example: St. Patrick setup the church in Ireland

  10. Economic Power of the Church • Church required Christians to pay a tithe • Tax • Required to pay 10% of income • Church became very wealthy • Became the largest landholder in Europe

  11. Political Power of the Church • Church had its own laws and courts • Canon Law • Claimed authority over secular rulers • Secular= not having to do with religion • Could excommunicate rulers who did not obey the church • Banned from the church

  12. Role of the Church in Everyday Life • Church provided spiritual protection in exchange for land, protection and crops • Christians attended village churches led by priests (clergy)

  13. Points for Discussion • What role did the Church play in Western Europe after the collapse of the Roman Empire? • What was excommunication?

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