»Church Hierarchy
»Benedictine Life
»Pilgrimages
»Cathedrals
»Anti-Semitism
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Church Hierarchy:
» Many have perceived the medieval church as a very organized hierarchy, headed by the pope. But in actuality the church’s history is one of a power struggle by the popes to flex their authority. There was a strong division among the clergy. The secular clergy, which consisted of the parish priest, monsignors, bishops, archbishops, and up the line, constituted one part of the church. The regular clergy consisted of monks, and later, friars. The pope generally had more control of the secular clergy, while the regular clergy mostly governed themselves.
Benedictine Life:
» Monasteries of this time were governed by a set of rules created by St. Benedict in the sixth century. Because of Benedict, all monks there were called Benedictines and were required to take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to the church leaders. They were cut off from the rest of the world, and had to perform manual labor every day. They were also not allowed to own any property, or leave the monastery property. Along with nunneries, monasteries were a refuge for travelers. The nuns also served and took cared for the unfortunate people of the community.
Pilgrimages:
» Another important religious aspect of medieval life was the Pilgrimages. Holy shrines, like Church of St. James at Santiago de Compostela in Spain and Jerusalem, were destinations for many religious journeys.
Cathedrals:
» As the population of Europe expanded, the churches that had been built in the roman style (round arched roofs) had become too small. As they strived to build higher and larger churches, the church architects strained some grand cathedrals to their structural limits. Most of these cathedrals collapsed within a century or less of their construction.
Anti-Semitism:
» Also in medieval times a large anti-Semitic feeling swept across Europe. The Jews were never really accepted in England. But, in 1190, King Richard shattered the remaining uneasy tolerance, the Jews had usually enjoyed, by forbidding all Jews to attend his coronation feast. Still, some of the Jewish leaders still attempted to enter his palace and offer him gifts. The London mob attacked these leaders and other Jews. There were many riots all over England in this anti-Semitic movement. Those who were about to set off on the crusades generally warmed up by attacking the Jews, whom they saw as enemies of faith. Those who could not afford the journey of the crusades found the vulnerable Jews a far more accessible target than the far off Saracens. Around this time, anti-Semitic characters and myths appeared in Europe. One myth was about Jews desecrating the host (the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ) by kidnapping it to mutilate and burn it, a way to kill Jesus again. Other myths were about Jews committing ritual murders.