Picture: Gothic cathedral
Age of Faith
The Middle Ages was absolutely an age of faith. Every thing from architecture, art, literature, and music were based off a religious aspect. The main religion of Europe in the Middle Ages was Christianity. While the country was falling apart in a political way the religious part of the country was confident and strong. With this confidence and strength came much power. This power was shown through huge, magnificent cathedrals.(Doc 10). Many people gathered at the beautiful cathedrals for mass and prayer. The power of the Church was used in many good ways. In 1083 the Church council called for the observance of the Truce of God which stated that, "throughout the year on every Sunday, Friday, and Saturday... no one may commit murder,arson, robbery, or assault, no one may injure another with a sword, club, or any kind of weapon."(Doc 5). The observance of the Truce of God showed their power, because they made laws that were obeyed and lead to peace. The Church also showed their power through the crusades. In 1095, Pope Urban II called for a holy crusade. This was a war to recapture the Holy Land. The Turks and Arabs were attacking and conquering lands of the Christians. "They have killed and capture many, and have destroyed the churches and devastated the Empire."(Doc 9) Through all of this chaos the Church was strong enough to fight back. Another reason the Middle Ages was a time of faith was its abundance of religious people. Brother Gerald renounces in his monastic vows, "my parents, my brothers and relatives, my friends, my possessions... and the vain and empty glory and pleasure of this world. I also renounce my own will, for the will of God. I accept all the hardships of the monastic life, and take the vows of purity, chastity, and poverty, in the hope of heaven; and I promise to remain a monk in this monastery all the days of my life."(Doc 8). This excerpt shows the faith, confidence, and belief they had in God, making the Middle Ages an Age of Faith.