Social Significance of the Reformation!!!

15th Century (1400’s)

• 100+ days of fasting

• Clergy carried out laws

• Monasteries + Nunneries= the place to be

• Religious shrines worshiped

• Indulgence preachers common

• Clergy complete with concubine, child

• Church influenced education and culture

16th century

• Clergy enrollment down 1/3

• Monasteries become orphanages

• Teaching in the vernacular

• Fines for idol worship

• Clergy married

• Rich, richer; poor, poorer

• Clergy on the same level as commoners

Educational Changes

• Education revolves around new Humanist ideas.

• The works of Thomas Aquinas are looked upon for answers to Church questions.

Women

Women aren’t viewed as evil temptresses…

• They are now exalted.

• Women now more equal to men.

• The idea that women distract clerics is put down

More equality = More divorces

Later Marriages

• Mid-late 20’s for men, early 20’s women

• More remarriages due to high mortality rates

Arranged Marriages

• Parents did not force strangers to live together.

• Children did have rights.

Random Facts

• 1/3 of Children died by age 5

• ½ died in their teens

• Wet nurses were used by the upper class with negative consequences

• Cervantes writes Don Quixote

• Shakespeare is alive and well during this time period.

That’s All Folks!!!