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The medieval Church, the Crusades and Thomas Becket
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In medieval Europe the Church was everywhere. It shaped how people lived, fought, and even how kings ruled.
Christendom
Western Europe was Christendom: Christian countries led in religion by the Pope in Rome.
People believed in heaven and hell. They went to church, paid a tithe (a tenth of what they produced) to the Church, and went on pilgrimages to holy places.
Monasteries were home to monks, who prayed, copied books and cared for the sick and poor.
People believed in heaven and hell. They went to church, paid a tithe (a tenth of what they produced) to the Church, and went on pilgrimages to holy places.
Monasteries were home to monks, who prayed, copied books and cared for the sick and poor.
The Crusades
In 1095 Pope Urban II called for Christians to win back Jerusalem, a holy city for Christians, Jews and Muslims, from Muslim rule.
The First Crusade captured Jerusalem in 1099.
In 1187 the Muslim leader Saladin retook Jerusalem. England's King Richard I fought him in the Third Crusade but did not capture the city.
The Crusades caused great violence, but they also brought trade, goods and ideas between Europe and the Middle East.
The First Crusade captured Jerusalem in 1099.
In 1187 the Muslim leader Saladin retook Jerusalem. England's King Richard I fought him in the Third Crusade but did not capture the city.
The Crusades caused great violence, but they also brought trade, goods and ideas between Europe and the Middle East.
Church against crown: Thomas Becket
King Henry II made his friend Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury in 1162. Becket then defended the Church's rights against the king, for example over whether priests accused of crimes should be tried in Church courts.
In 1170 four knights killed Becket in Canterbury Cathedral, after Henry spoke angrily about him.
Becket was made a saint. Henry did public penance (punishment for sins) at Canterbury in 1174. The Church kept its own courts.
In 1170 four knights killed Becket in Canterbury Cathedral, after Henry spoke angrily about him.
Becket was made a saint. Henry did public penance (punishment for sins) at Canterbury in 1174. The Church kept its own courts.
Why was the murder of Thomas Becket a problem for Henry II?
- Becket was killed in a cathedral, a holy place, which shocked people.
- The Pope and the public blamed Henry because his angry words led to it.
- Becket became a saint, so Henry had to do penance and the Church kept its rights.
Answer: It shamed Henry, made Becket a saint and helped the Church keep its power.
The Pope led Christendom; people paid tithes and went on pilgrimages. The First Crusade (called 1095) took Jerusalem in 1099; Saladin retook it in 1187. Becket was murdered in 1170 after quarrelling with Henry II over the Church's rights.
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