C16th Era of Crisis (Week 3) Flashcards
What was the general understanding in the late mediaeval period?
there was minimal scientific understanding
what did this mean?
thunderstorms were considered to be associated with the devil and were extremely terrifying - superstition acted as a coping mechanism in an uncertain world.
what is meant by devotional overload
discussing the ways in which there is an exaggerated devotion towards God which could arguably contribute to the corruption surrounding religion in the C16th
What is devotional overload in the context of a cycle in life.
it is a potential cycle:
you are born, baptised, commit sit, sacramentally confess, priestly absolution - can work off sin reach a state of grace and potentially commit sin again or die reach purgatory and then heaven.
What does this system suggest
that if you follow it correctly you can go to heaven. it implies that God is a figure of fear
How do the Seven Sacraments fit into this
sacraments of baptism, penance and extreme unction are mentioned in this structure.
How does devotional overload impact society.
Good works and merit - the treasury of merit, indulgences - all makes the Church a heavily economical system,
Discuss devotional overload in the context of the parish church
Were lots of perpendicular Gothic architecture flourished in the late Middle Ages including Lavenham Church in Suffolk.
Who were the critics of this
John Calvin - argued concept of predestination
Lollardy - underground movement
John Wycliffe - version of Bible
How did the late medieval church become a victim of its own success
consumerist obsession with the quantity at the expense of quality - mechanistic commercialised nature of pilgrimages.
development by accumulation
saturation
rising expectations
What did feudalism give way to and why was this significant?
feudalism gave way to capitalism so successful merchants accumulated huge wealth and were keen to display it in their portraits
What was it like for the poorer side of society in the C16th
There was massive impoverishment, many of the rural poor drifted to the towns - especially to London - in the hope of a better life, but they instead overwhelmed the local governments’ efforts to provide relief
What did all of this corruption mean?
Possessed of profound Christian beliefs and deep social consciences, some Renaissance Humanists were so dismayed by the multiple crises afflicting early C16th Europe that they decided to embark upon a culture war against the status quo - leading the charge were Erasmus and Thomas More.
