Why Is Religion More Important Than The Middle Ages

To begin with, religion and the church was an extremely important factor in people's lives in the middle ages. For example, the text states, “...he

In the Medieval times, the Roman Catholic Church played a great role in the development of England and had much more power than the Church of today does. In Medieval England, the Roman Catholic Church dominated everyday life and controlled everyone whether it is knights, peasants or kings. The Church was one of the most influential institutions in all of Medieval England and played a large role in education and religion. The Church's power was so great that they could order and control knights and sends them to battle whenever they wished to. The Church also had the power to influence the decision of Kings and could stop or pass laws which benefited them in the long run, adding to this, the Church had most of the wealth in Europe as the

The Middle Ages is often referred to as the Age of Faith and it is correct to do so, as during this period religion dominated all aspects of life from architecture, literature, art and music. The dominant religion during this period was Christianity. The middle ages saw "the emergence … of Christian literary forms… a popular religious culture centred around processions, icons, and relics" (George Holmes 42).

The Crusades were a series of holy wars that began in 1095 CE. These wars were fought between Christians and Muslims to gain control over the sacred land. The Turks moved into the middle east during the early part of the 11th century CE. Most of the Turks served the Islamic armies and would invade land rapidly using combat forces. This alarmed the Greek emperor and caused him to seek out Pope Urban II and ask for mercenary troops to confront the Turks. The Pope called a council and had 300 attendees to show up. During this council, the Pope made a plea to free the Holy Land, which received an enthusiastic response. After this, Pope Urban II promptly waged war against the Muslims and took armies of Christians to Jerusalem to try and

Feudalism, during medieval society, was parallel to the existence of the Catholic Church and its influence over the population. Religion permeated all elements of society and the way in which they related to each other. The Church wasn’t only a spiritual power, but a political and economic one and the struggles between the political and religious leaders will be key factors in the development of the medieval world. The church will also be the primary keeper of knowledge in the Middle Ages, and they will accomplish most cultural advancements.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, there was no main dominating force in Europe to enforce laws and protection for the people. The Middle Ages had begun and without the Romans, life became centered around survival. The destabilization caused rates of illiteracy, disease, and deaths to rise dramatically and to remedy the average peasants worry, the feudalism system flourished and required work in exchange for the safety of manors. Yet while there was not a overlooking empire to look towards for authority, the Catholic Church served its role to bring all classes together (Document 6). The Middle Ages will be ultimately known as an age of faith because of the prevalence of violence, power of religion, and the Catholic Church’s preservation of knowledge.

The role of the Roman Catholic Church also had a big influence on the social life of people during the Middle Ages. The Roman Catholic Church “touched everyone’s life, no matter their rank or class or where they lived,” (Doc. 3). The church gave people a sense of belonging. As well, the Code of Chivalry states that “thou shalt respect all weaknesses, and shalt constitute thyself the defender of them,” (Doc. 5).

The First Crusade (1096 - 1099) played a very important part in Medieval Europe .the First Crusade was an attempt to re-capture Jerusalem. After the capture of Jerusalem by the Muslims in 1076, any Christian who wanted to pay a pilgrimage to the city faced a very hard time. When the pope urban 2 made his speech he made lots and lots of people listen and got to war he machined that a lot of people were slaughterer and that this is what god wanted. Muslim soldiers made life very difficult for the Christians and trying to get to Jerusalem was filled with danger for a Christian.

The Middle Ages can also be called the Age of Faith since many Europeans followed religion because of its major impact on society. Religion was also able to restore some order through their decree of peace which is explained in Document 5 by the Church Council’s Truce of God. According to the document, the treaty of peace declares that “no one may commit murder, arson, robbery or assault, no one may injure another with a sword, club, or any kind of weapon.” The Church was basically trying to establish an era of peace with no violence and bodily harm and since the Church played a big role in civilization, people must have followed their decree. Just in that document we could tell the large role of the caring church because of of the peace

The age leading up to the first crusade is detailed by many current historians, as well as Pope Urban II, as a time period where inhabitants "rage[d] against [their own] brothers and cut each other [to] pieces" (Peters, Baldric of Dol, 31) for economic and social advancement. In spite of these references, many people today believe that the Pope instigated the crusades for the sole reason of reclaiming Jerusalem. However, other motivations such as supplementary religious factors and the chance for economic, social, and political gain also played major roles. These motivations were not experienced supremely by the Pope; in fact he needed to instill these inspirations in all Christians to evoke their will to fight. The holy land had long

belief, the church and religion in general provided an immense amount of influence on the

The politics of Western Europe in the eleventh century was a one of a kind. The pope believed Europe was being threatened by the Byzantine Empire, (a Christian empire itself), and the Mohammedan tribes. The first crusades began in 1095 A.D., Christian forces followed Pope Urban II’s orders to wage war upon the Holy Lands and reclaim them. Soon armies of not only knights, but pilgrims, including women and children were headed east by the thousands. They were pushed forward by religious ambition, divine promise; they were fighting for what they believed was crucial to their beliefs and divine purpose. It is truly amazing to me the dedication these people had for something they had never seen or heard. It was true faith nonetheless. At this time in Western Europe, Roman Catholicism was extremely influential upon society and the pope was basically worshipped; he was their guidance, their connection to god.

It touched everyone’s life, no matter what their rank or class or where they lived. With the exception of a small number of Jews, everyone in Europe was a Christian during the Middle Ages from the richest king to the lowest serf.(Doc 3)” In The Age of Faith people put their faith in their God above all it was even written as rules in their Code of Chivalry “Thou shalt believe all that the church teaches , and shalt observe all its directions. / Thou shalt defend the Church. / … / Thou shalt perform scrupulously thy feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of God.” These are 3 out of 10 rule that people of Middle ages lived by all saying they will but God 1st in their lives also defend and follow the

People in the middle ages were very religious. People believed that Roman Catholic Church represent God. The church had a big influence on the content spread in the Middle Ages, and they were content with religious or moralistic. The only religion recognized in Middle Ages Europe was Christianity and specifically Catholicism. Christianity in the middle ages dominated the lives. The life of the medieval people was dominated entirely by the church and many religious institutions gained power and wealth. It was single the larges institution in west of Europe. It touched everyone’s life no matter what rank in social class they lived in. Everyone in western Europe was Rome Catholic Christian at that time. From the reaches king all the way down.

The Church was the absolute most predominant foundation in medieval life, its impact invading practically every part of individuals’ lives. Its religious observances often shape to the plan; its customs checked every minute in a person 's life; and its lessons supported standard convictions about morals, the significance of life and existence. Church in Western Europe was recognized as the Roman Catholic Church went from the religion of the Roman Empire to the official religion and the most powerful institution of the Middle Ages. All of Europe had been converted to Christianity by the year 1000. Although this process was peaceful at times but other times it got downright ugly.