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| History |
Beginnings, Middle Ages, Reformation, Enlightenment, Victorian, Modern |
| Introduction | ||||||
'The Middle Ages' is the title given to the time between the fall of the Roman Empire and the start of the Reformation (5th - 16th centuries). The first part has become known as 'The Dark Ages' because the invading armies destroyed the more advanced Roman lifestyle and learning, and much of the Christian faith, replacing it with older, courser behaviour and the old pagan gods (dark). However, modern scholars think it was less dark than originally believed because monasteries among others maintained learning (light) through their teaching and libraries. (Return to Top)
After the decline and fall of the Roman Empire, the church continued to be a focus of authority and was involved in the affairs of countries and their leaders as well as in religion. In England, Christianity either adhered to the Celtic tradition centred around Lindisfarne in the north or the Roman tradition centred around Canterbury in the south. The difference between the two was settled at a council called by king Oswiu of Northumbria in Whitby in 664AD, when the king adopted the Roman tradition under the Pope. (Return to Top) In Europe, France and Germany came to the fore and Charlemagne (Charles the Great) became king of the Franks. On Christmas Day 800AD he was crowned by the Pope as emperor of most of western Europe, with a few exceptions, which included Britain. This was the forerunner of the 'Holy Roman Empire' which lasted until 1806 (from 1273, it was dominated by the Hapsburg Dynasty). (Return to Top) As the church grew, its power increased. In Europe, it maintained close links with state heads, either becoming directly involved in their affairs, or acting as arbiter between them. Some regard the Holy Roman Empire as equating to 'Christendom,' and there was a great overlap, but 'Christendom' included all those countries where the Christian Church had great influence not just those ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. (Return to Top) The church authorities continued to develop their understanding of God and Jesus (theology), and as a result the differences between them grew, especially between those who favoured the views of Rome and those who favoured the view of Constantinople. The Bishop of Rome claimed he was the most important, because Jesus had declared that he would build his church on the Apostle Peter and the church in Rome had been started by Peter. Not surprisingly, the Bishop of Constantinople disagreed and in 1054AD there was a 'Great Schism' in when the church split into the 'Roman Catholic' and 'Eastern Orthodox', headed by the Bishop of Rome and the Bishop of Constantinople respectively. That split has remained ever since. (Return to Top) |
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| Saxons | ||||||
Some Christians chose to live a simpler life devoted to God, and set up communities for that purpose. The men were known as monks and the women as nuns, so the houses they established were known as monasteries and nunneries respectively. The leader of each main group developed a 'Rule of Life', which setout the routine for the day, specifying strict times for sleep, worship, study, work, etc. Principal among these were the Benedictines, Franciscans, and Augustinians (named after their founders). Originally monks turned their back on worldly pursuits, including wealth, copying the simple lifestyle of Jesus Christ. Many monasteries became centres of teaching and learning and their dedication and prayer was much admired, so people left them money and property in their wills. As a result, many monasteries became rich, often with the attendant deceit wealth can bring. The head of a monastery is called the Abbott. Both the churches and the monasteries grew in wealth, authority and influence - bishops and abbots often acting more like feudal lords over the people under them. (Return to Top) Successive English kings vied with the Pope in Rome to maintain their independence, the Popes demanding that, as the successor to the Apostle Peter, they should be the ultimate authority on earth, but during Saxon times English kings largely maintained their independence and appointed their own bishops. Some appointments were excellent, but some were poor - some bishops performed their role faithfully whilst others were more interested in earthly power or were indifferent and didn't even visit their area, let alone provide proper management and oversight. (Return to Top) The English King Edward III, though very devout himself (hence his nickname Edward the Confessor), was one of those who took little care with the church. When he died it was in a poor state. Edward was succeeded in January 1066 by Harold Godwinson, son of the powerful Duke of Wessex, but William, Duke of Normandy, claimed that Edward had promised him the English throne, so in October 1066 William invaded England and took the crown by force. Hence the Saxon period ended with what became known as the 'Norman Conquest'. (Return to Top) |
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| Normans | ||||||
Description of other eras to follow. Please accept our apology for any inconvenience. (Return to Top) |
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