Catholic Church

Question 1

What were some of Pope Gregory’s achievements?

Answer 1

• Spread Christianity throughout Europe (increased influence)
• Made position of Pope head of the Church
• He got rid of corruption in the Church, helped poor people, and reorganised the Church’s lands.

Question 2

What was the schism of belief in 1054?

Answer 2

The Church split into Catholicism (Rome - west) and the Orthodox Church (Constantinople - east).

Question 3

What were the three things that Catholicism influenced?

Answer 3

1. the government (archbishops would assist the King)
2. law-making (had their own set of laws - Canon Law)
3. law enforcement (had their own Court and punishments)

Question 4

How did the Church get so wealthy?

Answer 4

• Nobles left land, property and money to the Church to gain favour with God.
• Controlled one-third of land in Europe

Question 5

What were the ways in which the Church influenced life?

Answer 5

1. Influence over Kings and feudal lords. Could control them through excommunication.
2. Dictated calendar week
3. Foreign policy and politics could be dictated by Pope (William the Conq)
4. Archbishops and bishops advised Kings and determined how history was recorded.
5. Local priests’ role in everyday life (baptisms, marriages, funerals)
6. Education (influence the young)
7. Oath of allegiances were sworn on the Bible (control of peasants)
8. Priests were gatekeepers of Heaven through confession.
9. Church law and mass.

Question 6

How can we see the importance of Catholicism in everyday life?

Answer 6

1. Cathedrals (size, position, materials = symbol of power/wealth)
2. Music (plainsong, Gregorian chant)
3. Art (honour God/educate the illiterate)
4. Illuminated Manuscripts (material, cost, time, mostly biblical)
5. Literature (Latin = Catholic language, religious subject matter, epic poems = education about Catholicism)
6. Sculpture and Stained Glass (education about Catholicism, symbols of power/wealth)