Role of Religion in the Medieval Ages: 700 AD to 1000 AD

Role of Religion in the Medieval Ages: 700 AD to 1000 AD

Introduction

Religion has played a major role throughout the history of the world. Based upon various religious or theological beliefs and foundations, many wars have been fought and many battles lost and won. During the Medieval times, much of the political and economical upheaval, especially in Europe and Asia, was based upon religious reasons and issues (Carretero, 2011). The church was thought to be a source of entertainment and punishment with festivals to celebrate the important church days where people were required to pay enormous taxes with goods especially in the 700 AD to 1000 AD, as the money system was not yet properly introduced, that most could ill afford which was enforced by the manorial lords and the courts (Jurinski, 2004). Moreover, the church played a welfare role in much of Europe, by giving away 'alms' to the needy during times of economical crisis. Such absolute authority, power and devotion ruined the foundation of the institution, giving rise to corruption which spread throughout the western world at a rapid rate (Bowman, 2011). Moreover, the other major religious influence during the medieval ages came from the Muslims who spread Islam in far flung parts of Northern Africa, throughout much of Europe, for example in Spain towards the west, in India and China towards the East (Jurinski, 2004).

The Eighth Century

The year 700 AD or the eighth century saw many religious changes spurred by political struggles and wars which affected much of the world. Firstly, the “Moorish” conquest or the conquest by the Muslims of the country of Spain introduced the concept of Islam with radically different religious viewpoints (Bowman, 2011). However, in the Battle of Tours, the Muslims were defeated before they could conquer France by the army of Charles Martel, curbing the growing influence of Islam as a religion on Christian values (Carretero, 2011). On the other hand, in the Muslim world, the second siege of Constantinople in the early part of the century saw a great weakening in the great Umayyad dynasty, and a great shift in the Muslim world due to the emergence of the Abbasids. However, the Umayyads managed to establish their religious presence in Spain (Jurinski, 2004).

As a repercussion, and due to the controversy over the veneration of images, the Eastern and the Western church saw a divide which is still felt today. As a result of this divide, Pope Leo II became the leader or head of the western church and introduced the concept of “Papal States” in the south of Italy, where the “Papacy” was the highest authority. The singular Papal State formed what is now known as the Vatican City in Rome, Italy. In the year 768, the reign of Charlemagne or Charles I led to him being crowned as the absolute King of the Franks (Jurinski, 2004). He protected the institution of the church and papacy, while expanding his kingdom ...