Only Partial and unedited: influences of the Roman Catholic Church on the medieval ages

The Influences of the Catholic Church in the Medieval Ages

The Catholic Church had many influences on the Medieval Ages; Both positive and negative. Some positive influences were education and music. However, some negative influences were the crusades and conflicts between popes and kings for power. Before medieval times, most people could not read or write. This is why churches used so much stained glass, because the pictures that the glass formed showed the stories of the bible in a more understandable way for most people. Medieval music also played a large role in Medieval Times. It was very influential for medieval people, because it unified people. It had free flowing rhythm, and was sung in unison. Many recitations from the medieval times are still commonly played in churches today, such as “The Gloria Patri”. The Catholic Church shaped the medieval times, and shaped our world of today.

The Catholic Church brought many positives to the Medieval Ages. Before the Medieval Ages, very few people could read or write. However, when the Catholic Church came around, it brought proper education with it. Churches were the centre of town activity. Town meetings, plays, concerts, and other events were all held here. The church bells rallied people to join, called out the hours, and warned people of danger. Almost every town had one, and larger cities had cathedrals. The Christian belief was so widespread in the Medieval ages, that it is often called “The Age of Faith”. The church was just the thing that people needed in that age to look up to. It rallied them together, and gave them a common leader. From this, it would seem that the church was a wonderful thing. However, it did not live up to all it was supposed to be.

Although the Church had many positive influences, it also had very negative effects. Pope Urban II believed that it was the will of god for the Christians to fight the Persians. Thousands upon thousands of people were killed during these wars. This was a “holy” war, or a crusade. The church also made some individuals, mostly popes, believe that they were almighty. Kings and Lords would not agree with this because the pope believed he had divine power. That means he believed God has given him power over everything and everyone. Not only does he believe he has this power, but he believes he can tell people they will have salvation only if they are catholic. Pope Boniface VIII said he “Declares state, define and pronounce that it is although necessary to salvation for every human creature to be subject to the roman pontiff”.