¶ … Power of the Medieval Church There is little doubt that the Church was one of the most powerful institutions in Medieval Europe. Many factors contributed to its remarkable success. Among these was the importance of religion in the everyday lives of people of all classes and backgrounds. It is not by accident that the Middle Ages is sometimes known as "The Age of Faith." In a world that had not yet discovered scientific explanations for the travails that beset humankind, religion offered answers and also hope. The monasteries that dotted the map of Europe provided safe havens in the violent storm that was the essence of Medieval life for so many. Within their sheltering walls, there existed a different, more peaceful, more promising modus vivendi. Here, man was free from the constant wars, and the sudden destructions that too often befell the men and women of that period. On another level too, the Church and its monasteries served...
Especially in the earlier part of the era, monks and priests were often the only educated people to be found. Clerics served in the administration of Charlemagne and later monarchs. Monks preserved the learning of the Ancients by copying out old classical manuscripts and their Islamic copies. Within the Church, there were individuals who still attempted to solve the problems of humanity intellectually, and not with the sword alone. St. Thomas Aquinas, Abelard, Duns Scotus, and others continued the ancient traditions of inquiry and argument. Without these churchmen, Medieval life would have been bare indeed.
Social power without capital under capitalism does not exist, unlike previous eras where, for example, the medieval church exerted great influence over policy as a class, in greater proportion than the (not inconsiderable) wealth it held. However, today, land, capital, and the ability to make money off of money are the primary means by which influence is leveraged. Having money perpetuates money. This is how rich hold onto their places
The representations to be found in literature are echoed in the history of medieval times, akin to art imitating life in the most literal sense. Before the emergence of the major dissenters who gained much ground in medieval times, the papacy fought against anticlerical dissent from many other sources as well. Much of this centered on allegations of corruption within the Catholic clergy and the perceived decadence of certain leaders.
This he accomplished in part by donating lands and money for the foundations of abbeys such as Echternach. In the following decade Charles led the Frankish army against the eastern duchies. He dealt with the ongoing conflict with the Frisians and Saxons to his northeast with some success, but full conquest of the Saxons and their incorporation into the Frankish empire would wait for his grandson Charlemagne. Most importantly, instead of concentrating
Medieval Europe and the Evolution of the Church State How Constantine's Deception lead to a Holy Roman Empire And the virtual collapse of the Christian church The Decline of the Roman empire and the rise of tribal powers Constantine and his "conversion" o The Edict of Milan grants legal rights to Christians o The Council of Nicea The first church council conducted under the governmental oversight of the Roman empire. Diocletian reorganized the empire in attempts to rebuild
The Catholic Church Government The internal government of the early Church was formed within the framework of the Roman Empire, and bishops exercised authority over the Christian community in each Roman municipium. By the third century, a shift took place as the bishops of each Roman province formed the habit of meeting in a provincial synod, presided over by the bishop of the capital city, meaning the metropolitan bishop or archbishop.
Medieval Life was perilous for those who lived during this period. There were a number of issues that made life particularly difficult. Low literacy rates meant that people had little access to information. Because travel was difficult and dangerous, they also had little access to information that would help them improve their lives. In addition, their lives were almost completely under the control of the Roman Catholic Church, which was
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