the roman catholic church. i. life in the middle ages 1. no strong government a. chaos and violence...

The Roman Catholic Church

I. Life in the Middle Ages1. No strong government a. Chaos and violence b. Church stepped in -provided: -rules -leadership -spirituality -hope for poor -religious education

*So, why did the Catholic Church become so powerful during the

Middle Ages?

II. Power of the Church1. Cannon Law a. Church court system -final word on all disputes -those who break Cannon Law

may be convicted of Heresy & may be Excommunicated. -excluded from Church

and Heaven

III. The Church & Learning1. Most common people unable to read or write a. Relied on Priests to: -translate Bible -write marriage contracts -educate people2. The Church & School a. Oxford & Cambridge England b. Thomas Aquinas -Religion, Reason & Medicine c. Roger Bacon -Father of Experimental Science

IV. The Church & Art1. Monks a. Devoted lives to church b. Decorated pages of Bible -”Book of Kells”2. Architecture a. Romanesque -thick stone walls

-small windows -round arches

b. Gothic -high ceilings

-stained glass -pointed arches -towers