Middle Ages Essay
Evaluate the extent to which significant people, groups and ideas from the Middle Ages have both short term and long term effects. How have they influenced the world of today.
Introduction: This essay will consider the short and longer term impact of the pope, the monks and Christian ideas and beliefs on society during the Middle Ages as well as their impact on today’s world. The essay will argue that the role of the pope, the monks and the Christian ideas have had a huge impact on how society has developed. The three areas considered in this essay are linked. The pope was the head of the Catholic Church. He influenced the role of the monks, who in turn were key in spreading Christian beliefs and ideas throughout medieval Europe. Christianity continues to be a strong force in Europe today.
Paragraph 1: The pope was a powerful figure, both in terms of religion and also politically. A short term effect of the Pope’s position was that he had a lot of influence over who became political leaders. This was because the church had a lot of power over ordinary people and if the political leader didn’t have the respect and patronage of the pope, then people would not be so willing to accept the political ruler. A longer term effect of the pope’s power during the Middle Ages was the Crusades. Pope Urban II instructed the Christians of Europe to go on the Crusades, the purpose of which was to take control of Jerusalem and crush the Muslims and non-believers. A much longer term effect of this was the ongoing tension between Christianity and the Islamic faith. The pope is still a very powerful figure today. Just recently, Pope Francis invited Israeli and Palestinian leaders to the Vatican to pray for peace in the Middle East. This shows that the pope still has both religious and political influence.
Paragraph 2: The monks comprised an important social group in the Middle Ages. Basically, groups of men would come together to live in a community that was
Introduction: This essay will consider the short and longer term impact of the pope, the monks and Christian ideas and beliefs on society during the Middle Ages as well as their impact on today’s world. The essay will argue that the role of the pope, the monks and the Christian ideas have had a huge impact on how society has developed. The three areas considered in this essay are linked. The pope was the head of the Catholic Church. He influenced the role of the monks, who in turn were key in spreading Christian beliefs and ideas throughout medieval Europe. Christianity continues to be a strong force in Europe today.
Paragraph 1: The pope was a powerful figure, both in terms of religion and also politically. A short term effect of the Pope’s position was that he had a lot of influence over who became political leaders. This was because the church had a lot of power over ordinary people and if the political leader didn’t have the respect and patronage of the pope, then people would not be so willing to accept the political ruler. A longer term effect of the pope’s power during the Middle Ages was the Crusades. Pope Urban II instructed the Christians of Europe to go on the Crusades, the purpose of which was to take control of Jerusalem and crush the Muslims and non-believers. A much longer term effect of this was the ongoing tension between Christianity and the Islamic faith. The pope is still a very powerful figure today. Just recently, Pope Francis invited Israeli and Palestinian leaders to the Vatican to pray for peace in the Middle East. This shows that the pope still has both religious and political influence.
Paragraph 2: The monks comprised an important social group in the Middle Ages. Basically, groups of men would come together to live in a community that was