The Church played a major role in stabilizing Western Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire. As political authority dissolved, the Church provided order, security, and spiritual leadership that people relied upon. It became one of the most powerful institutions through its wealth acquired from tithes, large land holdings, and political influence over rulers through powers like excommunication. The Church helped to unify the fragmented peoples under its religious authority.

1. Today’s Title: The Power of the Church
Today’s Page Number: 95
Today’s Date: March 8th, 2018
Today’s EQ: What role did the Church play
in Western Europe after the collapse of
the Roman Empire?

2. Church in the Middle Ages
• Western Rome falls and is in chaos.
• Eastern Rome survives and is
now Byzantine.
• What used to be the glorious Roman Empire is
no more.
• However, one thing that has remained
constant and stable was the church.

3. Focus:
– The Christian church helped to unify western
Europe after the collapse of the Roman
Empire.
– The Church was an institution that survived
the fall of the Roman Empire.
– During this time of political chaos, the Church
provided order and security.

4. Important Terms:
Papal: anything relating to the Pope or
Catholic Church
Secular: things NOT related to religion
Excommunicate: officially exclude or
ban someone from all church activities
(including marriage, funeral…)

5. Throughout the Middle Ages, the church
was one of the few sources of leadership
and stability that people could rely upon.
One historian has noted that “The
existence and the authority of the Church
of Rome stood out in contrast against the short-
lived kingdoms which
rose and fell in the early Middle Ages.”
As a result, the Catholic church became one
of medieval Europe’s most powerful and
enduring institutions.
The Power of the Church

6. The Church in the Middle Ages
• Remember, after
the Great Schism,
instead of just one
Christian “church”,
there were now Two
major Christian
Churches
–Eastern Orthodox
(Christian) Church
• Byzantine
–Roman Catholic
Church
• Western Europe

7. Shift in Government
• People were used to being loyal to public
government and written laws.
• Since the German invaders could not read or write,
they were used to being governed by unwritten rules
and traditions.
• The Germans saw no use in listening to a king they
did not know or would they pay taxes to an emperor
they had never met. They were loyal to their chief or
leader who gave them food and fought alongside
them.
• This made it very hard to create order, or rule over
them.

8. Shift in Government
• However, in the Roman province of Gaul, a Germanic
group called the “Franks” held power.
• Their leader “Clovis” would eventually bring
Christianity to their region.
• During a very intense and hard to win battle, Clovis
prayed to God and the battle turned resulting in a
victory for his people.
• After, Clovis and 3,000 of his troops were baptized
and converted to Christianity.
• Why is this important you may be thinking?!?!?!

9. Shift in Government
• Now that Clovis and a large number of the Franks
were Christians, there were rules to go by and
something to unify them.
• They were now easier to govern and control… unlike
their old barbarian ways.
• This would help unify the church and Germanic
kingdoms. Other tribes would follow the Franks.

10. The Church in the Middle Ages
• The Catholic
Church was led
by a pope and
based out of
Rome
– Papacy; Papal
– The Pope was
believed by
followers to be
the spiritual
representative
of Jesus on
Earth

11. The Church in the Middle Ages
• The Catholic church
provided order and
security after the
fall of Rome
– Served the spiritual
needs of followers
– Became a powerful
political force
• Had authority over
powerful rulers

12. Political Power of the Church
• Church had its own laws
and courts
– Called Canon Law
• Claimed authority over
secular (or government)
rulers
– Secular= not having to
do with religion
– Could excommunicate
rulers who did not obey
the church
– Banned from the church

13. Economic Power of the Church
• Church required Christians
to pay a tithe
– Tax
– Required to pay 10% of
income
• Church became very
wealthy
• Became the largest
landholder in Europe
• Since the economy was
unstable, land became more
valuable than money &
equaled power

14. Role of the Church in Everyday
Life
• Church provided
spiritual protection
in exchange for land,
protection and crops
• Christians attended
village churches led
by priests (clergy)

15. Nuns and Monks
• Devoted their life to
prayer and good
works
• Could not marry or
have kids
• Lived in monasteries
or convents
– Religious communities
– Had to follow strict
rules
• Benedictine rule

16. Nuns and Monks
• Took an oath of poverty
• Provided social support
to communities
– Helped the sick and the
poor
– Educated children
• Preserved ancient
writings by copying
Greek and Roman texts
• Without Nuns, Monks,
and monasteries, much
of learning would have
been lost! They kept
literacy alive.

17. A Medieval Monk’s Day

18. Nuns and Monks
• Missionaries
– Worked to
convert
Germanic
tribes and
Celts in
Britain
– Example: St.
Patrick setup
the church in
Ireland

19. Points for Discussion
• What was excommunication?
• What role did the Church play in
Western Europe after the collapse of
the Roman Empire?