PENGUIN STUDY GUIDE CH. 4

Chapter 4
Religious and Political Ideals

Common religious belief and outlook were drawing men together almost as strongly as social pressures and the shocks of invasions were forcing men apart. The monasteries recorded a man entering into serfdom; which spoke of them giving themselves and their labor to god and the church. The exchange of ideas was traveling faster than trade. Children were introduced into the life of prayer well before they reached the years of discretion. During these times this was the only way ensuring the child would lead a useful life. The serfs also gave themselves to god and the church in hopes to be looked favorably upon.

The monasteries were directly associated with the religious beliefs of the lord who founded it. Gift giving in the monastery was used to elevate status of families. Monastery influence was moral not political however, this changed when a group of scholars interpreted the old testament as saying the king is the head of the church and chosen by god to rule his people. The king was able to appoint men to authority within the church. As a result the church had become intertwined with politics unlike it when it began as separate entities.