The Role of the Church in Medieval Europe

Name ______

Label and explain the system of rank in the Roman Catholic Church.

POPE

CARDINAL

ARCHBISHOP

BISHOP

PRIEST

The Chart lists seven sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church. Write the correct term to the right of its definition.

BaptismConfirmationEucharistExtreme unction

Holy Orders Matrimony Penance

______Sacraments ______Definitions______

CONFIRMATIONFormal declaration of belief in God

EXTREME UNCTIONBlessing given to someone in danger of dying

BAPTISMEntry into the church

EUCHARISTConsecration of bread and wine

HOLY ORDERSA man becomes a priest

PENANCEConfession of sins

MATRIMONYA formal union blessed by the church

During the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church played a central role in the lives of people in Western Europe. Create a diagram that shows the influence of the Roman Catholic Church on the areas of life you read about. Follow these steps to create your diagram.

  • For each area of life listed below, include two influences that have survived to modern times.
  • Use words and pictures in your diagram.

The Role of the Church in Medieval Europe

  • Members of which group believed that God had given them the right to rule? monarchy
  • These actions are examples of what process? Strengthening the power of the church
  • Outlawing the selling of church positions
  • Prohibiting kings from appointing priests
  • Excommunicating Holy Roman emperor Henry IV
  • Which of these is NOT true of the Roman Catholic church during the Middle Ages?
  • Church leaders helped govern western Europe.
  • Each parish had its own pope.
  • The church owned valuable land and property.
  • Daily life in village revolved around the church.
  • The Roman Catholic Church during the Middle Ages in Europe can be best described as a church that:
  • Favored separation of church and state
  • Avoided involvement in social and educational matters
  • Was a strong force that divided many people
  • Was a stabilizing influence during a period of weak central gov’t
  • In Europe during the Middle Ages, the force that provided unification and stability was the church.
  • “All things were under its domain….Its powers were such that no one could hope to escape its scrutiny.” What European institution during the Middle Ages was best described in this statement? church
  • What were the Holy Wars called? The Crusades
  • Which statement best describes the result of the Crusades?
  • Europeans maintained a lasting control over much of the Middle East.
  • Islamic influence dominated Europe.
  • Europeans developed tolerance of non-Christian religions.
  • Trade between Europe and the Middle East was expanded.
  • What were two indirect results of the Crusades?Trade and Commerce increased, and the feudal system was weakened.
  • The Crusades have been called “history’s most successful failure.” Which statement best explains this expression?
  • The Crusades did not achieve their original goals, but they brought many desirable changes to Europe.
  • Although the Crusades captured the Holy Land, they were unable to bring about democratic reform.
  • The Crusades helped bring about the Fall of the Roman Empire.
  • The Crusades prevented the Turks from capturing Constantinople for many centuries,
  • In Europe, a long term effect of the Crusades was an increased demand for goods form the East.
  • Who would have been most likely to make the following statement? pilgrim

I am traveling to Jerusalem to show God how sorry I am for having sinned. I hope we have a safe journey.

  • Medieval paintings often told the story of Christ’s life. What does this suggest about people at that time? Most people did not read. Stories were told in paintings and stained glass windows as teaching tools.
  • The art, music, and philosophy of the medieval period in Europe generally dealt with religious themes.