Added to political protection and social stability, medieval communities were in need for spiritual comfort, which undoubtedly resided in churches, monasteries and bishops. These, as what many of us think, were places for religious practices and different rituals. Yet, in medieval times, they were additional governing organs that in some respects could determine the destiny of medieval societies.
Another Feudal Power
Church was one of the leading institutions, added to royal courts and councils, with plenty of powers to perform. In fact, churches’ inestimable wealth, their indispensable services and their independence from the monarch’s decisions made them difficult to reckon with. Church had large areas of farmland. This could attract less privileged people, not only for comfort but also for daily supplies. As another institution, church was always in the favour of the poor; it did provide what they needed. It used to teach them and cure them of many diseases when necessary. In other words, it was a resort to flee from the harshness of medieval life.
A System to control Peoples’ Deeds
Church and churchmen were becoming a source of inspiration. They could control others’ beliefs and thoughts almost without efforts. They could direct peoples’ mindset via teaching them about decent life, appropriate behavior and other codes. Besides their social presence among communities, medieval churches made money in couple of ways. Rich people could pay for their way to heaven while many others could buy special pardons, known as indulgences. These were ways to remit their sins or purify their souls. Other sources of money were the collection of tithes, pilgrimage and plenty of spiritual services that truly transform rituals into money making practices.
More than that, churchmen were independent from kings in the sense that they could avoid any attempt to humiliate them via royal courts. Actually, kings themselves sought support from churches and their literate men. In brief, church was so powerful that it could dominate all walks of life in medieval times.