How did Christianity spread in medieval Europe and impact people's lives?

Answer 1

Christianity played a major role throughout the Middle Ages in society and politics. The Middle Ages, classified from 600 AD to 1350 AD, was significantly effected by Christianity because of the impact it had on the daily lives of people of the time. The beginning of the Early Middle Ages, after the Fall of Rome in 476 AD and the period known as the Dark Ages, the reorganization of the empire brought a desire for faith and religion, primarily Christianity. This trend of Christian importance was apparent until 1350, when the Black Death caused the end of a systematized era. The church is often viewed, during this period of time, as a center of corruption, greed, and evil, with materialistic popes and unholy acts. Even though there were immoral times, the presence of Christianity brought hope and stability to the empire politically and socially. In the Late Age of Antiquity, Christianity had started its rapid spread becoming the state religion in the fourth century, and emerging as a cultural trend (212). It became further defined, and was the bases of the Western World's proceedings. Christianity's popularity influenced the church by people's newfound ability to concentrate on faith and a better life. With this foundation, the Middle Ages expanded religious importance by employing it in day to day life.

Answer 2

With the developing power of the Merovingians, France and modern day Germany (along with parts of Italy) became fully Christianized., the Byzantine Empire also helped in this regard, however you should be aware that by this point (the beginning of the Middle Ages) most of Europe was already Christian anyway. The religion had been given a strong nudge by 312/313 with the Edict of Milan which legalized Christianity under Roman Law. That Constantine remained sole Emperor and was a key proponent of Christian ideologies (though to what extent is still debated) also massively improved the rate at which Christianity spread. In 325 the Nicene creed is established at the first ecumenical council in Nicaea, which sets out a more consistent list of Christian priorities and puts together the first Bible as we know it today (roughly speaking, a few bits are added and removed over the years but it's largely the same).

However, this is all before what modern scholars would call 'the Middle Ages' which begins c.500 AD - c.700 AD (depending on who tells you when Late Antiquity ended) This is not however to say that conversions did not occur in the Middle Ages - the efforts from the 9th century onwards in Scandinavia are worthy of note, and the crusades to the Baltic were partially grounded in the idea of spreading Christian ideals. Though the political motivations of German nobles should not be underestimated in this regard.

Overall however, the 'rise' of Christianity predates the Medieval period. If you want to know more about it I'd suggest reading into Christianity's development in the late Roman Empire.

Answer 3

it doesn't