The authority of the church:
"There are two powers by which the world is chiefly ruled: the sacred authority of the priesthood and the authority of kings."
- Pope Gelasius I
The following cartoon, "Middle Ages Church" illustrates the role and authority of the Roman Catholic Church during the Middle Ages.
The first box displays how the Church had both religious and political authority's. The Church had courts that tryed people who were accused of violating canon laws, or laws of the Church. The two worst punishments were excommunication and interdict. The Pope, leader of the Church, would use these threats of excommunication, banishment from the Church, or interdict, which banned sacraments and religious services from the King's land, to exert power over political rulers.
The second box shows how the Church taxed citizens. In every Manor system there was a Church, and after all the other taxes charged upon the citizens, the Church would charge a tax. They would charge every citizen, even if the person didn't go to Church.
The third box illustrates how the Church made laws, which were called canon laws and had to be obeyed by every citizen.
The fourth box demonstrates how the Church was corrupt. The Church would have sinners pay them money in order to be "forgiven" or "cleansed" of their sins.
The first box displays how the Church had both religious and political authority's. The Church had courts that tryed people who were accused of violating canon laws, or laws of the Church. The two worst punishments were excommunication and interdict. The Pope, leader of the Church, would use these threats of excommunication, banishment from the Church, or interdict, which banned sacraments and religious services from the King's land, to exert power over political rulers.
The second box shows how the Church taxed citizens. In every Manor system there was a Church, and after all the other taxes charged upon the citizens, the Church would charge a tax. They would charge every citizen, even if the person didn't go to Church.
The third box illustrates how the Church made laws, which were called canon laws and had to be obeyed by every citizen.
The fourth box demonstrates how the Church was corrupt. The Church would have sinners pay them money in order to be "forgiven" or "cleansed" of their sins.