Background to the Crusades: the medieval Western Church
I can describe how the pope's power had increased by the 11th century.
Background to the Crusades: the medieval Western Church
I can describe how the pope's power had increased by the 11th century.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The Western Church was headed by the pope.
- In the early medieval period the pope and Church had little power compared to local kings, but gained more over time.
- Throughout the medieval period there was a power struggle between local kings and the pope over control of religion.
- The Church had gained significant control over the lives of Western Europeans by the 11th century.
- Christianity was a fundamental aspect of life for medieval Europeans.
Keywords
Church - the Church is the organisation of the Christian religion
Pope - the pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church
Bishop - a bishop is a senior member of the Christian Church
Excommunication - excommunication is the action of officially excluding someone from participation in the sacraments and services of the Christian Church
Common misconception
The pope has always been the most powerful person in the Roman Catholic Church.
For much of the medieval period, a power struggle between the pope and local kings took place for control of religion within each country. In the early medieval period the pope had very little power at all.
To help you plan your year 7 history lesson on: Background to the Crusades: the medieval Western Church, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 7 history lesson on: Background to the Crusades: the medieval Western Church, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the The Crusades: did Europeans go on crusade to capture the 'holy land'? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
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Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
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