The Church played a dominant role in the Middle Ages, and the clergy
stood at the top of the social order. Through its rites the Church presided
over all the important events in people’s lives and determined their fate
in the afterlife, in heaven or hell. Wealthy people gave land and treasure
to the Church as thank offerings and in hopes of influencing their chances
of salvation. With ample resources, bishops and abbots commanded the
best talent and materials to build for the glory of God. Architecturally,
church buildings led the way in the sophistication of their designs and
building techniques and the splendor of their decoration. Every parish had
its church and most noble families had their private chapels. Daily services
and prayers, the celebration of the festivals of the Church, the invocation
of saints in times of difficulty, the rituals of knighthood and the
courts all meant that a castle needed a chapel, even when a parish church
stood in a nearby village. The chapel might be a separate building located
within the castle walls, but it might also be incorporated into the gatehouse
or the great tower. A large castle might have both a private chapel
for the family and a church for the parish.
World History
