History

Front

Canon Law

Back

The Church’s laws that controlled medieval society.

Front

Excommunication

Back

Being banned from the Church and its sacraments, used to enforce Church power.

Front

Interdiction

Back

Church stopped religious services in a region to pressure rulers.

Front

Lay Investiture

Back

Kings and nobles appointing bishops, which led to conflicts with the Church.

Front

Crusades

Back

Religious wars to control the Holy Land; they boosted trade but weakened the Church.

Front

Great Western Schism

Back

A time when multiple popes ruled, weakening the Church’s power.

Front

Black Death

Back

A deadly plague that made people lose faith in the Church.

Front

Reformation

Back

A movement against Church corruption that led to Protestant Christianity.

Front

Indulgences

Back

The Church selling forgiveness for sins, which led to the Reformation.

Front

95 Theses

Back

Martin Luther’s list of arguments against the Church, starting the Reformation.