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