What was everyday life like in Medieval Europe?

SSWH 7 b, c, & d

Describe the political impact of Christianity; include Pope Gregory VII and King Henry IV of Germany (Holy Roman Emperor). Explain the role of the church in medieval society. Describe how increasing trade led to the growth of towns and cities.

Growing Cities & Towns

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Increase agri. & better tech. caused population to grow

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Economy up: Guilds (org. of individ. in the same business)

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Guilds set standards for quality, wages, & conditions, allowed better products

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Manors no longer providing, people needed to travel to the cities p.219 -237

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Trade routes increased

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Banking grew because of merchants (needed credit, diff. currencies)

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Cities & towns: overcrowded, unsanitary

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Feudal Sys breaks down serfs ran away to the cities

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New Social Class: Burghers merchants) – fought feudalism & gained rights

Church In Medieval Society

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Pope in Rome (head of the Christian church)

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All clergy (priests) were under the Pope

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Shared beliefs of the Church bonded people together (rich & poor)

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Church was security, a stable force during warfare & political turmoil

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Religion occupied center stage in society

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Regardless of social class, people were equal when it came to salvation & heaven

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Lower class accepted lifestyle because church said they would be rewarded in heaven

Political Impact of Christianity

 Pope’s office (papacy) becomes secular (worldly), gained power in govt.

 Used church $ to raise armies, repair roads, helped poor (negotiated peace treaties)  Church created a sys. of justice to guide conduct – canon law & court sys.

 Pope’s Threats to Rulers: Excommunication (banishment from church) & Interdict (no one receives sacraments) p.228 -229

Pope Gregory VII & King Henry IV

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Henry practiced lay investitures (king appoints church officials) it controls influential clergy

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Pope Gregory VII banned lay investiture (didn’t want kings appointing church officials)

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Henry ordered the Pope to leave the papacy, Pope excommunicated Henry

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Henry begged for forgiveness (priests sided with Pope), the Pope ended the excommunication

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Concordat of Worms: Agreement – church could appoint bishops & kings could veto

1 Word Summary

Write one word that summarizes the role of the Church in Medieval Europe… Write 2-3 sentences explaining why you chose that word.

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