What was the role of the Church in feudal society?

Key Vocabulary

• Middle Ages: Edad Media
• Daily life: Vida diaria
• Clergy: Clero
• Pope: Papa
• Monk / Nun: Monje / Monja
• Monastery: Monasterio
• Land: Tierra / Terreno
• Peasants: Campesinos
• To help: Ayudar
• To make decisions: Tomar decisiones
• By hand: A mano
• Knowledge: Conocimiento

What was the role of the Church in the Middle Ages?

In the Middle Ages, the Church was very important in Europe. Most people were Christians, and religion was a big part of their daily life. The Church organized ceremonies like baptisms, marriages, and funerals.

The men and women who worked for the Church were called the clergy. The Pope lived in Rome and was the leader of the Church. Monks and nuns lived in monasteries. The Church was very rich. It had a lot of land and received a tax (10% of their food) from the peasants. However, the Church also helped poor and sick people. Sometimes, the Pope organized wars called the Crusades to the Middle East.

The Church was also very powerful in politics. Important church leaders helped kings make decisions. Finally, the Church was an important place for education. Monks copied books by hand to save old knowledge.

Exercise 1: True or False? Read the sentences and choose True (T) or False (F).

1. Religion was not important in the Middle Ages. ( __ )
2. The Pope lived in Rome. ( __ )
3. The Church never helped sick people. ( __ )
4. Monks copied books by hand. ( __ )

Exercise 2: Match the words with their definitions Match the words on the left (1-4) with the correct meaning on the right (A-D).

1. Pope __
2. Monks and nuns __
3. Peasants __
4. Clergy __

A. Poor farmers who worked the land. B. The men and women who worked for the Church. C. The leader of the Church. D. People who lived in monasteries.

Exercise 3: Answer the questions Write a short answer based on the text.

1. What kind of ceremonies did the Church organize?
2. Where did monks and nuns live?
3. Why did monks copy books?

Exercise 1: True or False?

1. Religion was not important in the Middle Ages. (F)
2. The Pope lived in Rome. (T)
3. The Church never helped sick people. (F)
4. Monks copied books by hand. (T)

Exercise 2: Match the words with their definitions

1. Pope – C (The leader of the Church.)
2. Monks and nuns – D (People who lived in monasteries.)
3. Peasants – A (Poor farmers who worked the land.)
4. Clergy – B (The men and women who worked for the Church.)

Exercise 3: Answer the questions

1. The Church organized ceremonies like baptisms, marriages, and funerals.
2. Monks and nuns lived in monasteries.
3. Monks copied books to save old knowledge.