The Power of the Medieval Church

After the Roman Empire collapsed in 476 CE, Europe fell into a period of chaos. Central government vanished, but the Catholic Church remained. It became the 'social glue' of the Middle Ages. For most people, the Church was the center of life. It provided sacraments (holy rituals like marriage and baptism), cared for the poor, and offered a sense of hope in a violent world. People paid a tithe, which was a tax of $\frac{1}{10}$ (or $10\%$) of their yearly income, to support the Church's work and social services.

While most people were illiterate, monasteries became the 'libraries' of Europe. Monks lived in these isolated communities, dedicating their lives to prayer and work. One of their most vital jobs was working in the scriptorium, a writing room where they hand-copied ancient Greek and Roman manuscripts. Without these scribes, much of the world's classical knowledge would have been lost forever. They also established the first schools, laying the groundwork for future universities.

The Church wasn't just religious; it was a political powerhouse. The Pope claimed authority over all earthly rulers. This led to fierce power struggles with kings. The Church's ultimate weapon was excommunication, which meant kicking someone out of the Church. In a deeply religious society, an excommunicated king lost the loyalty of his subjects because they feared for their own souls. The most famous clash was the Investiture Controversy, where Pope Gregory VII and King Henry IV fought over who had the right to appoint church officials.