Vocabulary...
- Missionaries: People who try to convert others to a particular religion.
- Monks: Religious men who lived apart from society in isolated communities.
- Monasteries: Communities of Monks
At the beginning of the Middle Ages, many kingdoms of northern Europe were not Christian. Christianity was common only in places that had been part of the Roman Empire, such as Italy and Spain. Slowly over time, Christianity started to spread largely because of two groups (Missionaries and Monks). Many popes sent missionaries to teach people about Christianity in the Northern kingdoms. Britain was one of the first places that missionaries were sent to. Most people in Britain became missionaries, and then Britain sent missionaries to France and Germany. Patrick was a missionary in the 400s who traveld from Britain to Ireland to spread Christianity. He eventually converted the Irish people to Christianity.
On the other hand Monks followed rules that were intended to help them live as good Christians. Most European monasteries followed a set of rules created in the early 500 by an Italian monk named Benedict. (Go to the Benedictine Slide for more information).
On the other hand Monks followed rules that were intended to help them live as good Christians. Most European monasteries followed a set of rules created in the early 500 by an Italian monk named Benedict. (Go to the Benedictine Slide for more information).