Medieval Church: Power, Law & Society (Stage 4)

Flashcards covering the Church's political and social power in medieval Europe — the fall of Rome, Church hierarchy, Becket case study, Church funding and education, crime and punishment, trial by ordeal/combat/compurgation/jury, and source analysis (value vs. perspective). Based on Church and daily life, Church and the law, and Witchcraft and source analysis lesson content, plus the Influence of the Church comprehension questions.

What event in 476 CE created a power vacuum in Western Europe?

The fall of Rome

Which religion became the main unifying cultural and political force after Rome's fall?

Christianity

During the collapse of Roman authority, who did people increasingly turn to for leadership?

The Church

Which two Church leaders often held authority that rivalled kings?

Popes and bishops

What did papal support give a medieval ruler, in terms of public standing?

Political prestige

What did papal support give a medieval ruler, in terms of religious legitimacy?

Moral authority

What concept did kings and queens claim as a result of Church backing?

Divine right

Which single institution ran education for most people in medieval Europe?

The Church

Where could most medieval people go to receive medical attention?

The Church

Where could poor medieval people turn for welfare and help?

The Church

Before he became Archbishop of Canterbury, what was Thomas Becket's relationship to King Henry II?

He was Henry II's closest friend

What Church position did Thomas Becket hold when he was killed?

Archbishop of Canterbury

In which building was Thomas Becket murdered?

Canterbury Cathedral

In what year was Thomas Becket murdered?

1170

Besides religious worship, what other functions did medieval cathedrals serve?

Social and political centres

What did the architectural grandeur of medieval cathedrals reflect?

Divine authority and wealth

Where were cathedrals usually located within medieval towns?

In city centres

Why were cathedrals deliberately built in city centres?

To act as visible reminders of the Church's power

In the medieval Church hierarchy, who was believed to hold ultimate authority above the Pope?

God

Who held the highest earthly position in the Church hierarchy?

The Pope

Which two roles were positioned directly below the Pope in the Church hierarchy?

Abbots and archbishops

Which two roles were positioned below abbots and archbishops?

Priors and bishops

Which two roles were positioned below priors and bishops?

Friars and priests

Which two roles were positioned below friars and priests?

Monks and nuns

Who occupied the very bottom tier of the Church hierarchy?

Ordinary people

What was the name of the weekly Church service that most Norman English people attended?

Mass

What are 'Doom paintings'?

Wall paintings showing the Last Judgement, depicting heaven and hell

Why did Doom paintings cover church walls?

To remind worshippers of the consequences of sin

Which type of building dominated cities, towns and villages in medieval England?

Churches

In general terms, how was the government of the medieval Church structured?

Hierarchically, with the Pope at the top

What role did monks and nuns play in medieval society, besides prayer?

Providing education, medical care, and charity

What made friars different from monks?

Friars did not live in a monastery; they travelled and preached among ordinary people

What is a pilgrimage?

A journey to a sacred or holy site

Why did medieval pilgrims undertake pilgrimages?

To show devotion, seek forgiveness for sins, or ask for healing

What was purgatory believed to be?

A state where souls were purified of sin before entering heaven

What architectural style characterised William the Conqueror's rebuilding programme?

The Norman (Romanesque) style

Give an example of Norman architectural redevelopment in England.

The Tower of London

Why were Benedictine monks sometimes known as 'black monks'?

Because they wore black habits

How is the relationship between the medieval Church and state generally described?

As closely intertwined, with the Church holding major political power

How did the Normans generally view monasteries?

As important centres of prayer, learning, and charity

Besides prayer, what daily work did monks commonly perform inside a monastery?

Copying manuscripts

How was the medieval Church mainly funded?

Through tithes

What was a tithe?

A required tax of about one-tenth of a person's income or produce

What subjects did Church-run schools mainly teach?

Reading, writing, and Latin

During the Middle Ages, which institution became increasingly involved in the law?

The Church

What kind of crimes saw increased prosecution due to Church influence?

Religious and moral crimes

Besides adultery, what other moral crime was increasingly prosecuted due to Church influence?

Sex before marriage

Besides sex before marriage, what other moral crime was increasingly prosecuted due to Church influence?

Adultery

According to Church teaching at the time, what was the purpose of harsh punishment?

To save people's souls and reform them

What was 'benefit of clergy'?

The right of priests to be tried in Church courts instead of royal courts

What punishment did priests avoid because of benefit of clergy?

The death penalty

What was the 'right of sanctuary'?

The rule that a criminal could not be arrested inside a church

What could a criminal do after confessing while claiming right of sanctuary?

Leave the country

Give an example of a minor medieval crime.

Stealing firewood from the lord's forest

What was the medieval punishment for a woman's gossiping?

The Scold's Bridle

What was the medieval punishment for not working hard enough?

Flogging

What was the medieval punishment for cheating and drunkenness?

Being put in the stocks

What financial punishment could medieval thieves receive?

Fines

What labour-based punishment could medieval thieves receive?

Extra work

What could happen to a thief's hands as punishment in medieval England?

They could be cut off

What was the most common execution method for murder in medieval England?

Hanging

Besides hanging, what other execution method could medieval murderers face?

Beheading

What was the punishment for high treason called?

Being hung, drawn and quartered

Why were the body parts of an executed traitor put on public display?

To warn others

How is heresy defined in a medieval legal context?

Speaking out against the Church

What punishment could exile a person found guilty of heresy?

Banishment

What execution method was used for heresy?

Being burnt at the stake

What execution method, besides burning, could be used for witchcraft?

Hanging

What is the medieval trial method called where a group swore an oath to claim someone's innocence?

Trial by compurgation

In trial by compurgation, how many people had to recite the oath of innocence?

12

What happened if a mistake was made while reciting the oath in trial by compurgation?

The accused was found guilty

In trial by combat, what was the name given to the fighter who represented a noble?

A champion

In trial by combat, who did people believe determined the winner?

God

In trial by ordeal, who did the accused appeal to for a sign of guilt or innocence?

God

In an ordeal by water, what did it mean if the accused floated?

They were guilty

In an ordeal by water, what did it mean if the accused sank?

They were innocent

What was the name of the medieval trial type that used travelling judges and a jury?

Trial by jury

Which medieval trial type most closely resembles the modern justice system?

Trial by jury

Which medieval trial method was commonly associated with witchcraft accusations?

Trial by ordeal (the water test)

In historical source analysis, what does the 'value' of a source refer to?

The useful information and insight it provides about people, events or beliefs of the time

In historical source analysis, what does the 'perspective' of a source show?

Whose viewpoint or bias is presented