Catholic Church
Also called: Roman Catholic Church · Topic: Medieval Europe: Feudalism and the Three Orders · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 3 "Changing Traditions"; Class 11, Ch 4 "The Three Orders"; Class 11, Ch 5 "Changing Cultural Traditions"
Meaning
The Catholic Church was the Christian Church of western Europe, headed by the Pope in Rome. In medieval Europe it had its own laws and owned lands given by rulers. It also had the power to collect taxes. This made it a strong power that did not depend on the king.
Example
The Church collected the tithe, which was one-tenth of what a peasant grew each year. It also received gifts from rich people who hoped to secure their welfare after death. Feudal customs even entered worship: praying on one's knees with hands joined copied the way a knight knelt to take his promises before his lord.
Don't confuse with
- Taille: a direct tax that kings sometimes collected from peasants only, while the clergy and nobles did not pay it. The tithe went to the Church, and the taille went to the king.