Life during the period of Early Modern Europe was an exceptionally confusing and fast paced time for one to live in. At this point in history, many things were changing and evolving throughout Europe. Religion and the rules that went along with the beliefs were changing as the Kings and Queens came and left. Politics and the struggles against parliaments and the kings raged about who should have the power. .
Religion was one main characteristic of life in Early Modern Europe. Religion in early Europe started out as the main fabric of ones life, without it one was lost. There was no such thing as church and state being separated from each other. Many wars were fought and lives lost over religion and the power of these deeply rooted beliefs. In the beginning, clergy were more powerful then kings and queens. Slowly kings and queens demanded more power an soon took control of the churches whom they ruled. As different kings came into power, two very different religions came to be supreme within in European life, Catholicism and Protestantism. This confused the people back then because it seemed that everyday you have to believe a curtain way to stay in favor with the rulers. In the book, The Cheese and the Worms, a miller named Menocchio describes and how he saw things in that time period. The book states, "He was accused of having uttered "heretical and most impious words" about Christ." Menocchio was tried by the Inquisition because they thought he was rebelling against religion and he was spreading blasphemy about the bible and the teachings in it. But in actuality he was just confused about all the changes going on in religion and wanted real answers just like many other people then.
Another characteristic of Early Modern Europe life was the aspect of politics. Similar to religion, politics in Europe was mostly ruled by the church. Many kings were moving towards absolutism, which means that all power rests in the hands of the king and claims it by divine right by God.