Unlike religion in the modern world, medieval religion had deep significance and central importance in the lives of most individuals and nations. There was hardly any concept of a secular nation where religion did not play any role in the affairs of the state. Since medieval religion had an official status, there was not any tolerance for divergence of religious views. Thus persecution in the name of religion was common during the medieval times.
The Cathars who were also known as the Albersians were a very well established Christian Sect in medieval France who rivalled the Catholic Church. Read more about the Albigensians >>
Famous Medieval Popes, Pope Gregory I, Pope Leo III, Pope Nicholas I, Pope Leo IX, Pope Urban II, Pope Alexander III, Pope Innocent III Read more about the Famous Medieval Popes >>
Medieval Cathedrals were usually large and grand in their design and they were used as the headquarters for medieval Bishops. Sometimes a large and impressive church would become a cathedral if it housed medieval Bishops. Read more about the Medieval Cathedral >>
Church architecture improved as new materials and building techniques were discovered during the medieval period. The grand Church architecture styles include the popular and distinctive Byzantium, Romanesque and Gothic building styles. Read more about the Medieval Church >>
Medieval monasteries were based on 6th century rules set up by St. Benedict. A medieval monastery was a building or a complex of several buildings where Monks or Nuns lived. Read more about the Medieval Monasteries >>
Among the most notable feats of the Papal career of Pope Urban II's reign was his attempts to organise a crusading campaign against the Muslim control of Jerusalem. Read more about the Pope Urban II >>
The Protestant Reformation was one of the most important religious events to happen during the entire medieval period. The Protestant Reformation resulted in the breakup of the Western Christian church into two parts. Read more about the Protestant Reformation >>
The great schism of 1054 came about as a result of different views on how church should be run between the East and the West. The 1054 great schism was theological in nature and not political like the later 1378 great schism. Read more about the The Great Schism – 1054 >>
The great schism of 1378 was also widely known as the Western schism as unlike the great schism of 1054 between the eastern and western churches, the great schism of 1378 was a battle for control within the Western Roman Catholic Church. Read more about the The Great Schism – 1378 >>
Medieval religion had central importance throughout medieval times. Medieval times begin with the collapse of the Roman Empire and by then medieval religion in the form of Christianity had established itself throughout Europe.
This central importance of medieval religion continued to exert itself through middle and late medieval times, although by the end of the medieval times religious authorities had begun to lose their influence. Thus the history of medieval times is virtually dominated by religion.
Throughout the medieval times, the Church had central importance in Europe and the Pope enjoyed the authority equal to rulers. During the early medieval times, this authority was even higher than rulers, considering that Europe was in a fragmented state. However, during the middle and late medieval times, various disputes arose between the rulers and the Pope, in addition to schisms within religion itself, resulting in a gradual decline in the authority of the Church.
Medieval religious beliefs were important to ordinary people during medieval times. A common man was expected to follow the dictates of religion and any diversion could cost his life. This was particularly true when the institution of the Inquisition was established in Spain and various other parts of Europe. Superstitions were common part of medieval religious beliefs and this gave rise to such practises as witch hunting and burning of heretics.
By the end of the seventh century, Christianity had established itself in most parts of Europe as a result of the efforts of missionaries. However, the Viking invasions of the eighth and ninth centuries resulted in the introduction of paganism in England and thus had its impact on medieval religion.
The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 once again converged the Anglo-Saxon religious system and the religious practises of Normandy. In 1054, Great Schism occurred in medieval religion which split the Church into Eastern and Western Churches. Further types of medieval religions followed during the late medieval times as a result of Reformation.
Norman Conquest
Medieval religion had importance in the everyday lives of the people. During the medieval times, churches were constructed in every settlement and village. Religious festivals were important part of the public life and ordinary people often went on pilgrimages to the shrines of the famous saints. Due to the dominance of religious beliefs, persecution of Jews and heretics was also common.
During the medieval times, medieval religion had central importance in the private and public lives of the people. Kingdoms had official religion due to which diversity of religious views was not tolerated. Church enjoyed supreme importance during the early and middle medieval times but by the end of the late medieval times, this authority had begun to erode away.
