chapter 6- the church

• how did the church influence education ?

  • they were the only institution that produced books
  • the monks copied books meaning the church controlled the books
• how did the church influence politics ?

  leading clergy were members of the Witan (the kings advisors)
• how did the church influence pilgrimage ?

  • were an important part of people lives
• who were priests ?

  • central figures in communities
  • all members of the community went to the priest for advice
• how did the church influence health ?

  • illness was sent as a punishment from God
  • people turned to the church for help
• how did the church influence the law ?

  heard court cases for crimes committed on church land
• how did the church influence economics ?

  the church were a major landowner and peasants worked on the land
• how did the church influence religion ?

  people learnt from the paintings on the walls
• what were norman religious buildings like ?

  • built to show devotion to God
  • they were built to dominate landscape
  • in a romanesque style
  • built in the shape of a cross
  • political bases of bishops who could become very powerful
  • were staffed by monks
  • pilgrims often journeyed to cathedrals
• why was William close with the church ?

  he invaded under the papal banner
• what is pluralism ?


  the clergy held many jobs
• what is simony ?


  selling positions or jobs within the church
• what is nepotism ?


  appointing unqualified family members to positions of power
• how did reformation effect the bishops ?

  • replaced with normans
  • Lanfranc was made archbishop of canterbury replacing stigand
• how did reformation effect architecture ?

  rebuilt in a romanesque style
• how did reformation effect organisation ?

  • church was given a clear structure
  • were built in important places
• how did reformation effect legal issues ?

  • only church courts could try the clergy
  • reintroduced peters pence a tax of 1 pence to the pope
• how did reformation effect parish priests ?

  most Saxons stayed
• what was penance ?

  the pope ordered William to pay penance for his violent invasion
• who was Anselm ?


  archbishop after lanfranc who supported the pope's attempt to make the church more independent
• how did William effect wealth and the church ?

  • used the church to increase wealth
  • collected geld from religious houses
• how did William reward those in the church ?

  promoted or rewarded supporters by giving them religious positions
• what is papacy ?

  • relationship with the papacy deteriorated ( the authority of the pope )
• how did the church try to become more independent ?

  • pope tried to help the church stay independent
  • banned the king from appointing abbotts and bishops