The Catholic Church and Cathedrals
During the Medieval Times, the Church played major roles in the everyday lives of everyone in society. The vast majority of the people were Catholic and all participated in religious services every week. The clergy were people that were licensed to perform the sacraments. These religious members of the Church would live on the manors and administer ceremonies to every single person that lived there. But, the Church also had control over different aspects of life. They were political, economic, and religious.
Political-
The Church made laws that applied to everyone and enforced them themselves, like a system of government would. If you did not obey all of these rules, you would be kicked out of the Church, or excommunicated. Also, Church officials were giving advice to nobles, kings, and other important figures in society about the choices they made.
Economic-
One of the laws the Church required the citizens to follow was the fact that they must pay heavy taxes. The Church claimed that if the taxes were not all paid, you would not go to heaven. They would take land from the upper-class in exchange for the clergy doing services on the manors.
Religious-
Following along with the other two ways the Church was in control, the people believed that if you followed all of the rules you would receive eternal life. However, if you did not, you would be punished after death. And since only the highest clergy members could read the Bible to know the truth, no one defied these thoughts.
Political-
The Church made laws that applied to everyone and enforced them themselves, like a system of government would. If you did not obey all of these rules, you would be kicked out of the Church, or excommunicated. Also, Church officials were giving advice to nobles, kings, and other important figures in society about the choices they made.
Economic-
One of the laws the Church required the citizens to follow was the fact that they must pay heavy taxes. The Church claimed that if the taxes were not all paid, you would not go to heaven. They would take land from the upper-class in exchange for the clergy doing services on the manors.
Religious-
Following along with the other two ways the Church was in control, the people believed that if you followed all of the rules you would receive eternal life. However, if you did not, you would be punished after death. And since only the highest clergy members could read the Bible to know the truth, no one defied these thoughts.
Many cathedrals like this one are still beautifully maintained.
“Ripon Cathedral” Public Domain Pictures Web. April 29, 2014 http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=42198&picture=ripon-cathedral
“Ripon Cathedral” Public Domain Pictures Web. April 29, 2014 http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=42198&picture=ripon-cathedral
Towers like this one on the top of cathedrals took a long time to create because they were intricately made.
“Medieval” Public Domain Pictures Web. April 29, 2014 http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=2041&picture=medieval
“Medieval” Public Domain Pictures Web. April 29, 2014 http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=2041&picture=medieval
Another wonderful example of a cathedral.
“Cathedral” Public Domain Pictures Web. April 29, 2014
http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=37440&picture=cathedral
“Cathedral” Public Domain Pictures Web. April 29, 2014
http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=37440&picture=cathedral