Medieval Religion

Medieval Religion

Medieval Religion
In Europe during the Medieval times the only recognised religion was Christianity, in the form of the Catholic religion.  The lives of the Medieval people of the Middle Ages was dominated by the church. From birth to death, whether a peasant, a serf, a noble a lord or a King - life was dominated by the church and Medieval religion. Various religious institutions, such as monasteries and convents, became both important, rich and powerful. The lives of many Medieval people including various orders of monks and nuns were dedicated to to the Catholic church and religion. This was also a period of great change in the Christian church. Disputes of the Crusades led to the split between the Eastern and Western Christian Churches, called the Great Schism of 1054. The practises of the Catholic religion were questioned and the beliefs of men such as Martin Luther (1483 - 1546) prompted a new religion called Protestantism which led to a further split in the Christian Church referred to as the Protestant Reformation. This section covers all the important events and Religious Reformers and philosophers who shaped the changes in Medieval religion.

Religion and Philosophy
During the Middle Ages religion as everything. It was not unusual for people to go to church everyday and pray five times a day. People believed that all the good things in life were due to the bounty of god and that the evil events of the times were due to their sins. Medieval religion was extremely important and even the doctors and physicians of the era were also well versed in religion. From birth to death, whether you were a peasant, a serf, a noble a lord or a King - life was dominated by the church and Medieval religion. There were many famous Medieval Saints and there are details of the names of this pious men and women of the Middle Ages. The following links provide and insight to different aspects of the religion and philosophy of the Middle Ages.

Biographies and Timelines of famous Religious Reformers and Philosophers
A biography and timeline can be found on the famous Medieval Religious Reformers and philosophers in the Medieval Religion section. Click one of the following links for facts and information:

Christian Religion History
Read about Christian Religion History from the emergence of Christianity during the Roman era through to the Middle Ages.

History of the Catholic Religion
The major historical events in the history of Catholic Religion including the subjects of heresy and the Inquisition and the Great Schism.

The Great Schism
Learn about the  Great Schism of 1054 which was the split between the Eastern and Western Christian Churches.

Protestant Reformation
The practises of the Catholic religion were questioned during the Reformation and the beliefs of men such as Martin Luther prompted a new religion called Protestantism.

Popes in Medieval Times
The names and list of Popes who enjoyed great influence and power in the Middle Ages 1066 - 1485.

Religious Festivals
The Life of people during the Middle ages was dictated by the changes in the season. The different seasons and months of the year were celebrated with Religious Feasts and Festivals which are detailed in this article.

Monks in the Middle Ages
Learn about becoming a monk, the vows taken by monks, the Monastery and life of monks and the sexual practises of monks.

Nuns in the Middle Ages
All nuns led lives which were strictly disciplined. Their lives were dedicated to their God and their faith and was a renunciation of worldly fashion and esteem.

Pilgrimage
The Definition of a Pilgrimage, the concept of Pilgrimage, Christian Pilgrimage and Destinations including Pilgrimage to Walsingham, St. Peter's Basilica, Loudres and Canterbury. Christian Pilgrimage and the Crusades. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer and the Pilgrimage of Grace.

Middle Ages Monastery
The first type of Medieval monastery adhered to the Benedictine Rule, established by St. Benedict in 529AD. The major orders  of Medieval monks were the Benedictines, the  Cistercians and the Carthusians. The layout, buildings and rooms in a monastery.

Medieval Convent
The principal buildings of a large convent were grouped around an inner court, called a cloister and included a church, a refectory, or dining room, with the kitchen and buttery near it and a dormitory where the nuns slept.

Monasticism
The concept of Monasticism centred around withdrawing from the world, from its temptations and its transitory pleasures to a life of solitude, prayer, and religious contemplation.

Benedictine Rule
The three vows of poverty, chastity and obedience were the basis of the rule of St. Benedict.

Benedictine Monks
The Benedictine monks lived under strict discipline. They could not own any property; they could not go beyond the monastery walls without the abbot's consent; they could not even receive letters from home

Anchoress
Read about the strange life of an Anchoress who was a deeply religious woman who chose to live a solitary life in confined quarters called an an anchorage or and anchorhold, which usually consisted of a single small cell.

Religion and Philosophy of Martin Luther
Martin Luther - The short biography of Martin Luther an important Medieval figure who was famous as a Theologian, Philosopher and religious reformer who founded the Lutheran religion.

Religion and Philosophy of Albert Magnus
Albert Magnus - The short biography of Albert Magnus an important Medieval figure who was famous as a German philosopher and theologian.

Religion and Philosophy of Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas - A short biography of Thomas Aquinas with key dates about the life story of an important Medieval figure who was famous as one of the greatest theologians of the Catholic Church. 

Religion and Philosophy of Peter the Hermit
Peter the Hermit - A short biography of Peter the Hermit with key dates about the life story of an important Medieval figure who was famous for leading the People's Crusade - The First Crusade 1096 - 1099.

Religion and Philosophy of Jan Hus
Jan Hus - The short biography of Jan Hus an important Medieval figure who was famous as a philosopher, cleric and religious reformer who attracted followers called the Hussites.

Religion and Philosophy of John Wycliffe
John Wycliffe - The short biography of John Wycliffe an important Medieval figure who was famous as a Medieval religious reformer and the first person to translate the Bible into English.

Religion and Philosophy of William of Ockham
William of Ockham - The short biography of William of Ockham an important Medieval figure who was famous as a Medieval Franciscan friar and scholastic philosopher.

Religion and Philosophy of Peter Abelard
Peter Abelard - The short biography of Peter Abelard an important Medieval figure who was famous as a Medieval scholar, philosopher and his tragic love affair with the beautiful Heloise.

Famous Religious Reformers and Philosophers - Erasmus
Erasmus - The short biography of Erasmus an important Medieval figure who was famous as a Humanist and Religious Reformer.

Religion and Philosophy
The Medieval Life and Times website provides interesting facts, history and information about Medieval religion and philosophy which scatter the Medieval History books.  The Medieval Times Sitemap provides full details of all of the information and facts about the fascinating subject of the lives of the people who lived during the historical period of the Middle Ages. The content of this section on the Christian religion and Medieval life and times provides free educational details, facts and information for reference and research for schools, colleges and homework for history courses and history coursework.