Background to the Crusades: the medieval Western Church
I can describe how the pope's power had increased by the 11th century.
Background to the Crusades: the medieval Western Church
I can describe how the pope's power had increased by the 11th century.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The Western Church was headed by the pope.
- In the early medieval period the pope and Church had little power compared to local kings, but gained more over time.
- Throughout the medieval period there was a power struggle between local kings and the pope over control of religion.
- The Church had gained significant control over the lives of Western Europeans by the 11th century.
- Christianity was a fundamental aspect of life for medieval Europeans.
Common misconception
The pope has always been the most powerful person in the Roman Catholic Church.
For much of the medieval period, a power struggle between the pope and local kings took place for control of religion within each country. In the early medieval period the pope had very little power at all.
Keywords
Church - the Church is the organisation of the Christian religion
Pope - the pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church
Bishop - a bishop is a senior member of the Christian Church
Excommunication - excommunication is the action of officially excluding someone from participation in the sacraments and services of the Christian Church
Content guidance
- Contains subject matter which individuals may find upsetting.
- Contains depictions of discriminatory behaviour.
Supervision
Adult supervision suggested.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
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