1. Name three crafts that you would find in a medieval town. 2. How did guilds help their members? Give three examples. 3. What did a craftsman have to do to become a member of a guild? 4. List two crimes and their punishments during the Middle Ages. 5. Where does the word ‘journeyman’ come from?
DiScOvErInG HiStOrY
F. Medieval Churches Spread of Christianity
During the Middle Ages the Christian Church grew in power, wealth and influence. Christianity was the main religion in Europe. People feared they would go to hell if they did not do exactly as the Church told them. Some members of the Church used this fear to influence kings to do as they wished.
The Crusades
When Muslim armies captured the city of Jerusalem in 1070, Pope Urban II asked the kings of Europe to fight to recapture it. Between 1096 and 1270 many Christian armies travelled to Jerusalem and other places to fight the Muslims. These wars were known as the Crusades. Jerusalem was recaptured for a short period in 1099 AD. Eventually, however, the Muslim leader Saladin defeated the Crusaders.
Organisation of the Church
The Pope was the head of the Christian church and lived in Rome. Throughout Europe areas called dioceses were ruled by bishops. In every diocese its bishop built a cathedral (the seat, cathedra in Latin, of the bishop). These were usually very impressive buildings to show the power of the Church and the glory of God. Craftsmen such as stonemasons, carpenters and blacksmiths from all
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Fig 4.27 Crusader armies travelled to Jerusalem and many other places to fight Muslims.