Chapter 3: The Role of
in Medieval Europe
Review Game
Fill in the blanks…
•
During the “High Middle Ages” (about 1000 to 1300 c.e.) in feudalistic
western Europe, the ____________________became the center of
medieval life.
•
Every village had a church building; larger towns and cities had
_________________. Church bells rang out the hours, called people to
worship and warned of danger.
Fill in the blanks...
•
During the Middle Ages, the church was a _______________
presence in everyone’s life, from birth to death. It provided
education for some, and helped the poor and sick.
•
The church also provided an _______________ for natural events,
such as storms, disease and famine, which were thought to be
punishments from God.
•
Christian belief during the Middle Ages was so widespread that the
church’s power rivaled that of _______________. Because of this,
historians sometimes call this period the “Age of Faith.”

What did the church offer people after the
collapse of the Roman Empire?
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The Organization of the Roman
Catholic Church
•
Fill in the organizational chart for the church…
•
Top to bottom…
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The Increasing Power of the Church
•
•
•
•
FILL IN THE BLANKS…
During the Middle Ages, the church acquired great economic power. By
the year 1050, it was the largest _______________year.
The church began to wield great political power, as well. Latin, the
language of the church, was the only common language in Europe.
Church officials were often the only people who could ____________. As
a result, they kept records for monarchs and became trusted advisors.
.
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The Increasing Power of the Church
•
•
What Pope began a power struggle with Henry IV?
Draw a picture depicting who ultimately won the power
struggle…
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Sacraments and Salvation in the
Middle Ages – fill in the blank
•
The church taught that receiving the seven ______________was an
essential part of gaining salvation. They were sacred rites that Christians
believed brought them grace, or a special blessing from God and marked
the most important occasions in a person’s life.
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The Seven Sacraments
Fill in the 7 Sacraments…
Entry into the church. To cleanse person of sin, a priest pours water
gently over his head or her head at the baptismal font, the basin that
holds the baptismal water.
Formal declaration of belief in God and the church.
A central part of the Mass, the church service in which the priest
consecrates (blesses) bread and wine. In Catholic belief, the
consecrated bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ.
A formal union blessed by the church. After being married by a priest,
a couple signs or names in a registry, or book of records.
The sacrament in which a man becomes a priest.
Confession of sins to a priest in order to receive God’s forgiveness.
Today Catholics call this sacrament reconciliation.
A blessing in which a person in danger of death is anointed (blessed
with holy oil) by a priest. Today this right is known as the sacrament (or
anointing) of the sick.
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3.4 Pilgrimages
•
What is a pilgrimage?
•
Why did people complete them?
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Canterbury Tales – fill in the blank
•
___________________wrote
a popular book of verse about
pilgrims called the
Canterbury Tales. He lived in
England from about 1340 to
1400. His amusing “tales” are
stories that a group of
pilgrims tell to entertain
each other as they travel to
the shrine of St. Thomas
Becket in Canterbury.
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Crusades
•
What was a Crusade?
•
Why did people choose to participate in a Crusade?
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Art and Architecture
•
How did art help people understand the bible?
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Art and Architecture – fill in the blank
•
The cathedrals built
between 1150 and
1400 were designed in
the
________________
style. Cathedrals
looked like they were
rising to heaven. On
the outside were stone
arches called flying
buttresses. The
Arches spread the
massive weight of the
roof and walls more
evenly. This building
technique allowed for
taller, thinner walls
and more windows.
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Art and Architecture – fill in the blank
•
Gargoyles are unique feature
of Gothic cathedrals.
Gargoyles are stone spouts
projecting from the rain
gutters of the roof. They were
usually carved in the form
of beasts. In medieval times,
some people thought
gargoyles were there to warn
them that
___________spirits would
catch them if they did not
obey the church.
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Education
fill in the blanks
•
During the Middle Ages, most schooling took place in
_____________________________________. This pattern was established under
Charlemagne, who encouraged the church to teach people to read and write.
•
During his reign, scholars developed a new form of writing that helps make
reading easier. Instead of writing all Letters, as the Romans did, scholars began
to use __________________ letters, too. We still use this system today.
•
In medieval times, the ________________were the people most likely to be
educated. Most of the students in church schools were sons of nobles who
were studying for careers in the clergy.
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Education
Fill in the blank…
•
•
•
Starting in the 1200s, cathedral schools gave rise
to ______________.
Ancient texts were greatly respected in the
universities, but the church taught people to be
guided by faith.
Ancient writers like the Greek philosopher,
Aristotle, taught that reason, or logical thinking,
was the path to knowledge.
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Education and Philosophy
fill in the blank…
•
•
______________, an Italian scholar of philosophy and
theology, admired Aristotle and tried to bridge the gap
between reason and faith. The church later accepted and
promoted his teachings.
He saw no conflict between faith and reason. He
believed that reason helped people discover important
truths about God’s creation.
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Holidays – fill in the blanks
•
In medieval Europe, many festivals and fairs marked important days of the year,
usually connected in some way to the _______________.
•
___________ and ______________ were two of the greatest medieval holidays.
•
Christians celebrated the Resurrection on Easter; this was based on the Christian
belief that the Resurrection is Christ’s rising from the dead. For medieval Christians,
Easter was a day of church services, feasting, and games. Often the games involved
_______________, a symbol of new life.
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Monks and Mendicants
Which people lived
a secluded
religious life?
•
.
Fill in the blank…
•
•
•
Mendicants: People who wanted a religious
life ________________________ being
secluded were called mendicants, a famous
example of which is St. Francis of Assisi. He
left his family’s wealth behind to serve the
poor, and founded the Franciscans, also called
the Little Brothers of the Poor.
Franciscan friars traveled to preach, and to
care for the poor and sick. They lived in
poverty, and worked or begged for food for
themselves and the poor. For this reason, they
were also called mendicants, which means
“beggar.”
With his friend Saint Clare, Francis founded an
order for women called the Poor Clares. He
believed that all living things should be treated
with respect, and is often pictured surrounded
by animals. His example of faith, charity and
love of God is often seen as an ideal form of
Christian living.
St. Francis of Assisi lived a simple life
with great respect for all living things.
Here is shown preaching to the birds.
Chapter Summary
Fill in the blank…
•
•
During the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church played a central
role in the lives of people in Western Europe. More than just a
religious institution, the church acquired great political and economic
__________________.
The church’s sacraments marked all the most important occasions of
life. Many people expressed their faith by going on pilgrimages or
fighting in the Crusades. The church’s influence can also be seen in
art and architecture, education, holidays, and the founding of
religious orders.
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