The role of religion and church in the life of medieval Europe


In the life of the peoples of medieval Europe, the church played an exceptionally important role. She defined the life of a person from his birth to death, “kept him in constant fear for the fate of his soul after death.” Under the control of the church were not only the lower social classes, but also the feudal lords. The clergy themselves usually adhered to their own established or sanctified norms of conduct.

The church did a lot of useful for the community, but not in everything. She cared for the poor, sick and infirm, but did not seek social justice. She wanted to put an end to feudal strife and robbery, but she supported and organized those wars that expanded her influence. The church took care of the development of medieval culture and at the same time impeded the development of science. She first unified the European nations on the basis of religion, but eventually she also divided them, having split in the middle of the 11th century.

XI cent. From the works of the monk Raul Glauber

First, in the provinces of Aquitaine, and then gradually and throughout the territory, Gaul began, because of the fear and love of God, to conclude the following agreements: that from Wednesday evening until Monday morning, no mortal would dare to take anything from anyone by force, Do not take revenge on any of the enemies, do not even require a pledge from the guarantor. The one who dares to violate this public decree, either will pay with his life, or will be rejected from the Christian community and expelled from his homeland. Everyone wanted… to be called “God’s World” …


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The role of religion and church in the life of medieval Europe