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There were a number of sects operating through the Middle Ages. Prior to the Great Schism of the 11th century, the Roman Catholic Church was the most powerful. After that time, the greatest body of the Church was divided in two, with the Roman Catholics in the West, centered on Rome, and the Eastern Orthodox in the East, centered on Constantinople.
Other Churches of interest include the Celtic Church, which was absorbed into Roman Catholicism after the Council of Whitby in the 7th century, the Oriental Orthodox Church, and the Coptic Church, which began in Alexandria and remains to this day, with its own pope. Churches such as the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and Indian Orthodox Church existed during the time, but were outside the area of the European Middle Ages.
There were a large number of religious groups regarded as heretical today and by the dominant Church of the time. Possibly the most notable of these was the Cathars, against whom the Church conducted the Albigensian Crusade. There were also the Gnostics, Monatists. Bogomils, Free Spirits, Waldensians, and many others.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoThe fact that it gained power was to some degree the fact that it was officially accepted by Constantine, and the fact that Theodosius made it the state religion of the Roman Empire in 380. The Church gained more power as its missionaries converted Germanic invaders to Christianity.
But the Church had a specific power that made it especially powerful, which was that a king or emperor could be excommunicated by the pope, and this meant that all oaths of support made to that monarch and all treaties entered into with that monarch could be broken at will. This meant that rebels and enemies had far more power than they otherwise would. Several kings and emperors tried to cross Church officials, only to discover that they had been gravely weakened in the process. The English Kings Henry II and John, and the Emperor Henry IV of the Holy Roman Empire all suffered from this.
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Wiki User
∙ 11y agowhat was the most powerful Fource During the Middle ages
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What organization was the most powerful during the middle ages?
church?
Did bishops have more power than lords in the middle ages?
Yes, the Church was very powerful during the Middle Ages.
What subjects were taught at universities during the Middle Ages?
The study of religion was the most valued field of study in the Middle Ages. The Catholic Church was all powerful.
What was the western European city during the early middle ages the highest and the most powerful authority?
The catholic church.
Who was a powerful noble during the middle ages?
A Lord was a powerful noble
During the Middle Ages art was mainly commissioned by?
During the Middle Ages art was mainly commissioned by The Church.
Where was the hub of music during the early to middle of the middle ages?
Christian Church
Who was at the highest level of authority in the church in the middle ages?
In the Early Middle Ages, and in the rest of the middle ages in the West, the Pope was most powerful. In the later middle ages in the East, it was the Patriarch of Constantinople.
The roman catholic church during the middle ages in Europe can best be described as a church that?
The Roman catholic church during the middle ages in Europe can best be described as a church that was a stable influence. This was during a time where central governments were weaker.
What was the most powerful institution Europe during the Middle Ages?
churches
What is the second most powerful position during the middle ages?
lord
What group were powerful in Europe during the early middle ages?
romans
