The First Order: The Clergy
This part talks about the church and its influence during medieval times:
The church included figures like popes, bishops, and priests, with the Pope being the highest authority based in Rome. Women, people with disabilities, and serfs couldn’t become priests. But the church held a lot of power for several reasons:
- It wasn’t controlled by rulers.
- The church owned vast amounts of land, managed by bishops.
- It collected money through ‘tithe,’ a 10% share of people’s production, and also received donations from the wealthy.
- The church organized Sunday prayers and sermons for congregations.
- It introduced new customs like kneeling, folding hands in prayer, bowing to God, and using the term ‘Lord’ for worship.
Monks and nuns lived in monasteries, following strict rules:
- They lived separate from family and friends, focusing on religious thoughts.
- They couldn’t marry and did farming and manual work.
- After the 13th century, some were allowed to spread religious ideas and were known as “Friars.”
- Famous monasteries like St. Benedict in Italy and Cluny in Burgundy played significant roles.
- By the 9th and 10th centuries, monasteries became centers for learning, art, and hospitals.
During the Renaissance, monks and nuns visited cities, but their lives became less austere. They were drawn to worldly pleasures, which led to corruption within the church. This made people doubt the clergy and the Catholic Church, laying the groundwork for Protestant Christianity in the future.
The Three Orders Class 11 History Notes
During the 9th to 16th centuries, after the Roman Empire declined, Europe faced challenges like political disunity and conflict. German tribes often fought each other for control of land. To restore peace and organize society, Europeans created the Three Orders system. Over time, adjustments were made to better meet the needs of society.
The book “Feudal Society and the Idea” by Marc Bloch provides further insight into European society during this period. In this article, you will find all the important notes related to the Class 11 Chapter, “The Three Orders”, specially curated by a team of experts at w3wiki.
The Three Orders Class 11 History Notes
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