Catholic Church In The Middle Ages (May 28th) Flashcards
(40 cards)
What percentage of land did the Catholic Church own in Western Europe during the Middle Ages?
The Catholic Church owned about 30% of all land in Western Europe during the Middle Ages.
What belief did the Catholic Church spread to maintain its power?
The Church spread the belief that it was the only path to Salvation reaching heaven.
What is required for salvation according to the Catholic Church?
A person needed to receive the Sacrament, which could only be given by a Catholic priest.
What would happen if sacraments were not received?
The average person was taught and believed they would go to Hell.
What is Canon Law?
Canon Law is the church’s own legal system, controlling wills, marriage, and moral decisions.
What was the purpose of the Inquisition?
The Inquisition was a special church court to deal with heresy and punish those with differing beliefs.
What methods were used during the Inquisition?
Those accused had to confess or were tortured, and some were sentenced to death by burning at the stake.
What is excommunication?
Excommunication is the church’s punishment of not allowing an individual to communicate with the church.
What is an interdict?
An interdict punishes a particular area by prohibiting religious services and limiting sacraments.
How did the pope use interdicts and excommunications?
They were ways for the pope to punish kings, emperors, and their followers in the Middle Ages.
What is the church’s court called?
Curia
What led to the church becoming very wealthy?
The feudal system and the tithe paid to the church contributed to its wealth.
What is Simony?
The buying of church offices.
What abuses occurred among clergy members who were sons of nobles?
They broke many church rules, including marriage, and misused church wealth.
What was the purpose of the movements to reform the church?
To change the church from within due to abuses of power.
What was the Cluniac Movement?
A movement aimed at reforming monasteries that had broken the Benedictine Rule.
What did the Cluniac Movement seek to end?
The power of kings to appoint or sell the position of bishop.
Who was the greatest leader of the Cluniac Movement?
Hildebrand, who later became Pope Gregory VII.
What reforms did Pope Gregory VII implement?
He replaced bishops who had paid for their positions, forbade clergy marriage, and made bishops answerable only to him.
What conflict arose between Pope Gregory VII and Henry IV?
Gregory forced Henry to submit to his power, but was later expelled from Rome by Henry.
What are Friars?
They were created to travel and spread teachings, unlike Benedictine monks who lived in monasteries.
What are mendicants?
Also known as begging orders!
Friars who relied on the charity of others to survive.
What are the two most popular friar orders?
The Franciscan Order founded by St. Francis of Assisi and the Dominican Order founded by St. Dominic.
Who lived in monasteries teaching and helping others?
Benedictine monks
