Christianity was widespread by the 4th century. Medieval Christians practiced religion in many of the same ways of the 21st century Christians. For instance, early Christians attended regular services at the local church. Most villages had their own church. Villagers were meant to join in services each Sunday, and on holy days, like Christmas. The village church was the setting for many important events. Babies were baptized there, couples were married there, and the dead were buried in the churchyard.
Cathedrals, which were a type of church, were usually built in the center of a city. Builders tried to build the most beautiful cathedrals to glorify God and to make their city look more impressive to visitors. These buildings were very expensive and took years to complete. Cathedrals needed to hold large congregations of people but had to look worthy enough to be called �houses for God.�
Many of the castles had their own chapel within its walls. The chapel was an important room in a Christian castle, because the castle�s occupants were expected to attend regular services. In early towers the chapel was often on the top floor or in an upper room in the entrance building. As castles developed, the chapel was separate from the tower and stood alone.
Although church services were held in Latin, which most people did not understand, they came anyway, to pray and receive the sacraments. In order to be cleansed of their sins, they went to confession. Churches, chapels, and cathedrals were decorated with woodcarvings, paintings, sculptures, and stained glass windows. Since the majority of Medieval people could not understand the services, they relied on pictures in their environment to learn of bible stories. These people loved learning about the life of Christ, and especially his death.
Many people devoted their entire lives to the Church. You could join a religious community as a monk (if you were a man), or a nun (if you were a woman). People in these communities lived together and shared everything they owned. Monks and nuns promised to remain single, to behave their superiors, and to live a life of prayer. They wore plain garments, called habits. Devoting themselves only to God, monks and nuns shut themselves away from society and spent their time in prayer and meditation.
The pope had a very important role in the Christian Church. He shaped its religious teaching and explained matters of faith. He appointed other church officials, such as clergymen and bishops, and was responsible for correcting anyone who held beliefs that the Church did not approve of.
Medieval bishops had obligations to the king. Sometimes his prayer schedules came second to his political and administrative responsibilities. To the left is a 12th century illustration of a monk making a copy of the bible.
This portrayal of King Arthur in stained glass exists at the Princeton University chapel. You can see two knights to his left and right below him, and in the bottom corners, two coat-of arms. In Arthur's hands is the sword Excalibur.
