In this modern day religion is merle an afterthought for most people. Though religion and God are still recognized in modern rituals such as weddings, national songs, and presidential inaugurations. It is by no means the driving factor behind every day life that it was in medieval Europe. After the fall of the Roman empire, people did less thinking for themselves and started listening more to the church.
Medieval Europe was predominantly Christian. There was at least one Church in every town and that was the center of their culture. Knowledge of the world was still very vague at this time. The causes of things like bad weather and illness were not yet understood. In conjunction the church had the answer for everything. "There was only one truth: God's revelation to humanity." (Perry 152) The life of a pesent was unrewarding and the chances of improving ones status was slim to none. The peasant, John of Cayworth, is a primary example of life at the bottem of the feudal system. "And he ought to harrow for two days at the sowing at Lent with one man and his own horse and harrow, the value of the work is 4 d. [pence]; 2 and he receives from the lord on each day 3 meals worth 3 d,; and the lord will thus lose 1 d.; and so this harrowing is worth nothing to the service of the lord." (Crandall-Bear 120) Dedicating ones life to the church promised a better afterlife. The church came to power by offering answers, a basis for community, and something to invest in. .
Paris served as a central road system to the Romans. It was abandoned later on with only the established Catholic Church to keep city in existence. The Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most recognized Churches today. It was designed in conjunction with the new gothic style of art. The size and attention to detail were taken into extreme importance. "The churchmen too, following the example of Cluny in its extravagant rebuilding as well as its reform program, sincerely believed that the service of God required the erection of ever more grandiose buildings.
