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[[Medieval religion]]<br />

[[Medieval religion]]<br />

[[Medieval politics]]<br />

'''Medieval politics'''<br />

[[Feudalism]]<br />

[[Feudalism]]<br />

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==Role of the Clergy==

==Role of the Clergy==

Religion --that is the Catholic Church--played a major part in government and many bureaucrats were drawn from among the clergy. In Europe, Monastic orders such as the [[Cistercians]] wielded considerable political power, with the co-founder [[st. Bernard]] being a particularly important figure responsible for rallying support for the [[Second Crusade]].  

Religion—that is the Catholic Church—played a major part in government and many bureaucrats were drawn from among the clergy. In Europe, Monastic orders such as the [[Cistercians]] wielded considerable political power, with the co-founder [[st. Bernard]] being a particularly important figure responsible for rallying support for the [[Second Crusade]].  

During the [[eleventh century]] papal reform movement, attempts were made to separate church and state as Medieval monarchies wielded great power and authority over clergy and the Catholic hierarchy. This led to the [[Investiture contest]] and the reform of the papacy. Medieval Kings were instinctively opposed to attempts of the Church to centralise its decision making efforts in Rome as this damaged the regional churches, who contributed to the coffers of Medieval Kings. Also, Kings needed clergy to operate in their Civil service as scribes and chancellors as there were too few educated non-clergy in the realm who could perform their duties which was vital for the smooth operation of the realm.  

During the [[eleventh century]] papal reform movement, attempts were made to separate church and state as Medieval monarchies wielded great power and authority over clergy and the Catholic hierarchy. This led to the [[Investiture contest]] and the reform of the papacy. Medieval Kings were instinctively opposed to attempts of the Church to centralise its decision making efforts in Rome as this damaged the regional churches, who contributed to the coffers of Medieval Kings. Also, Kings needed clergy to operate in their Civil service as scribes and chancellors as there were too few educated non-clergy in the realm who could perform their duties which was vital for the smooth operation of the realm.  

Successful diplomatic efforts were often marked by a marriage between two houses. Medieval Kings placed great emphasis on the importance of daughters, as they often were wedded off to troublesome nobles or to cement foreign alliances.

Successful diplomatic efforts were often marked by a marriage between two houses. Medieval Kings placed great emphasis on the importance of daughters, as they often were wedded off to troublesome nobles or to cement foreign alliances.

[[category:Medieval History]]

[[Category:Medieval History]]