Medieval Society and the Role of the Clergy

What was the primary role of parish priests in medieval society?

• To collect taxes for the king

• To administer sacraments and provide pastoral care

• To manage trade routes

• To lead military campaigns

How did the structure of parishes differ between rural and urban areas?

• Rural areas had churches every few blocks

• Rural areas had more churches than urban areas

• Urban areas had fewer churches but larger congregations

• Urban areas had more churches to cater to a larger population

What is the role of a bishop in the church hierarchy?

• To oversee all parish priests in a region

• To manage the king's treasury

• To lead the army

• To govern a city

What was the main focus of the Benedictine monks?

• To serve as royal advisors

• To live in a community focused on prayer and work

• To live in apostolic poverty and preach

• To engage in trade and commerce

What was a key difference between mendicant orders and traditional monks?

• Mendicants focused on agriculture

• Mendicants were primarily warriors

• Mendicants engaged directly with society

• Mendicants lived in isolation

Why did some parish priests oppose the mendicant orders?

• Mendicants were seen as intercepting tithes

• Mendicants supported the king

• Mendicants were not religious

• Mendicants were involved in trade

What was a common source of tension between the clergy and the laity?

• Clergy's foreign alliances

• Clergy's accumulation of wealth

• Clergy's involvement in politics

• Clergy's military power

How did noble families influence the church hierarchy?

• By funding military campaigns

• By building castles

• By appointing bishops from their families

• By controlling trade routes

What was a significant factor in the church's downfall during the early modern period?

• The rise of new religions

• The church's control over land and wealth

• The decline of the monarchy

• The invention of the printing press

What was the relationship between universities and the clergy in medieval times?

• Universities were independent of the church

• Universities were primarily trade schools

• Universities were military academies

• Universities were closely tied to the clergy