Power In The Middle Ages Essay

In conclusion the feuds between church and state have a long history. Many powerful figures have fought over the power to control church and state resulting in lives being lost. Although, it is said that Boniface was mot trying to gain power, but to protect the church. Despite this claim figures were so hungry for power that they would do anything to again or protect

Rhetoric is the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques. Jonathan Edwards was a renowned Puritan preacher. He is the author of a very known piece of rhetoric called “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” This sermon was given to persuade the people in America to either convert or become better religious people. To fully reach the audience’s emotions and thoughts Edwards uses multiple rhetorical devices. Imagery is commonly used throughout Edwards sermon. his extremely descriptive language portrays images of what Edwards is saying into the audience’s minds. Allusion references historical works of art, this work of art is known by his whole audience. Edwards strategically uses imagery and allusion to most effectively direct his sermon.

Peasants had a strong believe in the power of the church and also in the power of their lord. Peasants had to pay rent for his land to his lord; he had to pay 10 percent of what he had made from farming to the church which was called a tithe (Trueman). Peasants didn’t make much money already but they thought that paying their tithe would someday pay off in the end and that maybe they would be blessed by their lord. “A serf had to work and do menial jobs for his lord. He had to pay inheritance tax when his son took over his father’s role to the lord” (Difference). The serfs and peasants would never miss paying their taxes to their lord, because the power of the lord was so high and the serfs and peasants were scared by what they could do to

During this time, feudalism developed. In the feudal system, weak kings granted lands to greater lords in return for military aid. Greater lords in turn granted lands to lesser lords below them. These nobles governed all people, including clergyman to whom they granted a ‘fief” of land. When a clergyman, who were to pay their loyalty to the pope, became a vassal, or under the charge of a lord who granted him land, it gave the nobles and kings power. But because the papacy had the unified support of the larger peasant class and there were no strong kings to challenge him, the pope gained greater secular power than the nobility in addition to religious influence. Not only could he banish people from the Church through religious excommunication, but he could establish secular decrees like the Peace and Truce of God, which limited the appropriate locations and days for war. Secular powers such as these were previously reserved to kings, and illustrate that the pope due to the weakening of kings in the feudal system, held greater authority.

In Medieval Europe, the church played a critical role in shaping government and society. Most of the contemporary leaders were drawn from the church and contributed in championing the ideals of the church, leading to the papacy (Cook 33). During the papacy, the Pope of the Catholic Church assumed the position of the world leader, administering over the church flock and the non-Christian subjects. However, before the church rose to this eminent posit, its relationship with the government was tumultuous. Often, the people who professed the Christian faith were publicly persecuted. The ancient societies viewed the church with suspicion and suspected the church leaders incitement and sedition (Rublack 37). Based on the events leading to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the emotions the event evoked, the Roman rulers were wary of another public incident that may sway the loyalty of the subjects. The history of the church and the Eastern and Western factions of Rome shaped modern day Europe political landscape. The interaction between the Empire and the Papacy in Medieval Europe shaped modern day governments by influencing the rise to power or decline of some.

Kings and queens need the pope’s help in times when they were weak or required aid like times of war with other leaders. The people needed the church in times of forgiveness and also when it was vital for them to get resources like food. The need of the nobles and the people allowed the Church to use all the political and social power they had and take control. Making who they want leaders and help only the people they find worthy. Due to this reality that is why there has always been an issue between the church and the state.

Second, the church was a major political force. Therefore kings and queens wanted/needed papal approval like when they were somewhat weak, as in times of conflict. This allowed the Church to exercise political power as it could help to determine which claimants to a throne would be deemed acceptable.

The social structure of the Middle Ages was based on the practice of feudalism. Feudalism meant that the country was not governed directly by the king, but by individual lords

In the medieval Europe, the functioning of the societies across the different European regions revolved around the Christianity religion. During that period, Christianity was the main religion with the largest number of followers. The Catholic Church which oversaw the practising of the religion was a powerful international church. The Catholic Church was given importance both by the emperors and the people considering the superstitious attitude during that period. As such, the church used to give various teachings which used to be actively followed by the people. As the people had blind faith on the church, the emperors also used to give immense regard to the church and its priests. Not more than the Catholic church was not even less the power

When people share what they know about the Middle Ages in terms of the church, society, power, and the freedom to express themselves words like control and domination are used to describe the situation. Control is a very interesting topic of conversation especially when you are speaking in terms of the church. In the chapter entitled “People, Priests, and Power,” Swanson devoted a significant amount of time to clerical authority and influence, but he also writes about the influence lay people had on clerics. The question purposed to the class this week is: To what extent do you think the laity was in control of the church?

Throughout reading the play, Macbeth changes a lot from being a man of loyalty and honesty, to a man of whom is power hungry and greedy. This shows how the more power you receive the more power you want; which in many cases, such as this one leads to destruction. Many of the choices that Macbeth made were influenced by the power that he had, and this power began to take over him. This then lead to greed and destruction of not only others, but himself as well.

The Pope was the supreme authority while there was an emperor who was second in the command. For example, Charlemagne served as the Roman emperor after being elevated to the position by Pope Leo III. The church became powerful in many aspects; the people were required to pay tithe to the church while there was exemption of the church from taxation. The church went to the levels of owning armies as well as cities in addition to playing a great role in the regulation of state affairs.

Prior to the deterioration of Europe’s stability, its “Economy was centered around manorial estates, but the onset of the crusades marked the decline of feudalism” (Clark). The downfalls of feudalism and the Byzantine Empire were two of the most significant political impacts of the Crusades. Not only was feudalism a political system, but it was also a social and economic hierarchy. Feudalism strictly stratified the common people from the nobles and wealthy merchants. In this system of government, a majority of the power lies in the hands of the king. And despite his supreme position, the king resides below the Pope in the feudal hierarchy. Some of the original Crusades endeavored to secure the Pope’s position by appointing a supportive ruler

Another relevant role of the medieval period was the development of parliament later in the period. It is of high relevance to society today – as the controlling force of the country arose from the proposed council of 25 (Magna Carta) and developed into the fully fledged House of Commons and Lords that we know today. Magna Carta also played other, hugely influential roles in the world as we know. The first written constitution is very important in America – with the declaration of independence, signed in ... - being based on this very document. However, the Magna Carta was not always this important, as it was annulled by Pope Urban shortly after King John signed it.

Before fifteenth century, the existence of Catholicism had been the most predominant force in Europe regarding not only spiritually leading the people but also effectively controlling numerous of political and social aspects (Bireley,226). Art and literature were contributed to the spreading and accentuating of Catholic dogmas. Being granted by such sovereignty, popes, such as Pope Gregory VII, even had the power to excommunicate kings, and thus publicly humiliated the secular leaders (Schipper,120). However, after fifteenth century, the power of the popes along with Christendom itself was significantly diminished. The power struggle between the secular and religious leaders was a cardinal reason for the drastic power decline of Christendom,