Description of the characteristics of the most important monastic orders of this time
Monastic orders allowed the monks to devote themselves to their mission: praying for the grace to the living and to the dead. Monastic orders have become a peaceful refuge for people who suffered feudal brutality. Peasants found safety in monasteries, while for children of noble families monasteries became schools. The secular clergy lived in a world in which the Christian population was mixed with brutal society. Appointed bishops lived like lords, while the parish priests lived very modestly. Cluny was the brotherhoods of monastic houses that depended upon a single authority and observed the same rule. Citeaux monks were organized around the celebration of a lavish liturgy. They owned and managed big estates and were very rich. The members of Mendicant orders sought complete separation from the world and rejected the importance of financial wealth.
A middle class was developing in this period as trade and industry were reawakened from the “dark ages” following the fall of Rome. Discuss its growth
The development of the middle-class society originated in the surplus of agricultural production. The abundance of consumer goods revived the trade among the regions: seaports were opened and new trading routes were found. Merchants who sold goods united to form the so-called guilds. To ensure optimal choice and security, merchants gathered at fixed times at fixed places. These meetings were fairs and lasted for several weeks. The fairs contributed to the growth of towns and revival of the urban life. Towns were neighbored by suburbs populated by artisans and merchants. Society was dependent upon rural agriculture and feudal relations, while the evolvement of the middle-class centers representing a new foreign element. Merchants contributed to the creation of tribunal and uniform judicial code for foreigners and initiated the formation of the defensive militia.
The Roman Catholic Church was responsible for much of the growth of civilization during this period. Describe its beneficial effects
Every Frenchmen, despite his social position and wealth, considered himself as a Christian, as a member of the church community. Church provided instruction and assistance to people. Church covered society at every level and united representatives of the moral and intellectual elite. Being a cleric was a synonym of an educated man. Each cathedral was responsible for the organization of a school to educate clerics. Men came to these schools from all French provinces. They were granted diplomas and finally could become independent teachers. In addition to providing assistance and education to all social levels, churches promoted peace in the community. The feudal rulers failed to provide security and stability while the church representatives were focused on protecting the weak social groups against the injustice of the powerful. It was a church to establish the ritual of dubbing when a man rose to the rank of knighthood and assumed responsibility for the protection of women and orphans.
Discuss the effects of the Crusades on the French way of life
The Crusades were the holy wars aimed at promoting global peace. The first crusades were organized to assure free access to the tomb of Christ. Crusades discovered the refined society of the East and brought the taste for luxury to France. Trading routes have further expanded to the East. It contributed to the prosperity of the middle class (merchants). Crusades brought new trees and plants to France. They were the force to establish internal order and peace. They weakened the power of the nobles and empowered the middle and lower classes to gain financial independence. Crusades spread the French language in foreign lands and significantly enriched the culture of France.