Popular Piety

Question 1

How strong was church standing amongst the laity?

Answer 1

Though many were disillusioned with ecclesiastical administration, its spiritual authority and foundations remained unshaken and it was still fundamental to achieving Salvation

Question 2

What demonstrated the church’s popularity with the laity?

Answer 2

Increased number of services dedicated to the Eucharist

Public subsidies for altar cloth, clergy vestments and continuation of pilgrimages

Question 3

How common were pilgrimages?

Give 3 examples

Answer 3

Countryside roads were accompanied by shrines

Munich in 1392 saw roughly 60,000 pilgrims in a week

Einsiedeln in 1496 sold 130,000 pilgrim badges in a fortnight - shows utter devotion and emphasis on quick passage into Heaven