Third Exam Part 2 and 3

Running Head : Third Exam

Third Exam Part II and Part III

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The Church

The Christian Church is the central institution which dominated Europe during the middle ages ADDIN EN .CITE 3Middle AgesMicrosoft (R ) Encarta (R Premium Suite "Middle Ages . It influenced the Europeans regardless of their status of living . Though there were a number of Jews situated in Europe during the medieval period , most of Europe 's population was under the authority of the Church

The Medieval Church had the greatest influence

on the low class citizens especially on the medieval farm workers . Being in the dark and chaotic times , some of them have devoted their children to monasteries and nunneries to save them from starvation and from being homeless

The Church 's promise of salvation and an everlasting life on the second advent of Jesus Christ motivated people of medieval Europe to follow the laws given by the church leaders and contribute heavy taxes for the Church 's needs

Aside from accumulating taxes from the people , the Church also accepts gifts from personages who believe that gifts offered to the church can give them a bigger opportunity to be in heaven . The gifts offered to the church come in the form of farmlands , slaves , flocks and monetary offerings . These offerings have made the Church a more powerful institution to the extent that it can influence kings and other monarchial personalities

The Pope was considered as the head authority and highest official of the Church ADDIN EN .CITE 3Pope (religious leader )Microsoft (R Encarta (R ) Premium Suite "Pope (Religious Leader . He possessed the power to appoint bishops to dioceses . He also played powerful roles in crowning emperors and arranging disputes among rulers

However , during the 11th and 12th centuries in Europe , a clash between the Church ruled by the Pope and the state ruled by kings emerged . The lay princes tried to attach themselves to the clergy 's authority and wealth by offering them protection in return . The Church authorities despised this idea because they think it does not conform to the laws of the ancient Church . As a result , Pope Nicholas II denounced lay investiture in 1095 and eliminated the participation of kings in papal elections ADDIN EN .CITE 3Roman Catholic ChurchMicrosoft (R ) Encarta (R ) Premium Suite "Roman Catholic Church . From then on a progression of dethroning and expulsion amongst kings and prelates occurred

Renaissance

Considering the property of history as a continuous stream of events Renaissance can be regarded as a mere perpetuation of the Middle Ages However , the Renaissance era proved that it deserved great recognition for all its remarkable contributions to human thinking . It was a revolutionary movement which influenced Europeans ' intellectual learning in aspects of philosophy , arts , religion , literature and science

Humanism was the major theme of the Renaissance era ADDIN EN .CITE 3RenaissanceMicrosoft (R ) Encarta (R Premium Suite "Renaissance . The reintroduction of texts and classical knowledge from ancient Rome and Greek empires provoked critical thinking and empiricism amongst the people...