Figure 1.--This is an illustratration from E. Gilliat's book 'John Standish or The Harrowing of London' (1889). The book was published in the 19th century, but captures some of the attitides toward the Church expressed by Chaucer in 'The Canterbury Tales'. The illustration shows Master Chucer protecting a boy who friars are attempting to take him from his home to bring the boy into the friary to train as friar. Master Chaucer chastised the friars who left without the boy.

Throughout Europe as the power of centralized states grew. Issues arose with the papacy over contol of the Church. This cenbtered on investiture--the appointmebt of bishops. The history of the Roman Papacy (1048-1257) was dominated by conflict between popes and the Holy Roman Emperor, most prominently the Investiture Controversy. This was the dispute over who would appoint bishops within the Empire. This was no small matter because it affected who would control the vast wealth of the Church. Emperor Henry IV's Walk to Canossa to meet and pay homage to Pope Gregory VII (1077) was a major turming point in European history. It essentially prevented the unification of Germany as a national state--a state that eould have dominated Europe. But the issue was not settled and woukd arise in the developing national states, nost notably in England and France. The reign of King Henry II saw a reversion in power from the Normanized barony to the monarchical state. And Henry also sought to control the Church, not for diocttrinal matters, but because of the wealth cinyrolled by the Church. This was part of the break with and murfer of Thomas Becket (1070). England began to move away from Feudalism. King Edward I expelled all Jews which often meant murdering Jews and seizing their property (1290). A substantial part of the wealth of England by the late-medieval era became locked up in the monastaries. This part explains Geoffrey Chaucer's hosility to friars and monks expressed in the Canterbury Tales. Chaucer's epic shows the diverse views of the Church at the time. After the Black Death Plague, many Europeans began to question the authority of the Church. Some turned to various movenents (lollardy, new monastic order, or movements exposing church corruption. The behaviour of the clergy, false church relics or abuse of indulgences, all issues which Luther wioukd rauise launching the Reformtion. Chaucer included several religious figures and overall is very critical of the Church, primarily by critizinhg chhurchmen. It is interesting to note the degree to which the Church could be criticized as long as doctrinal issues were not questioned.

Created: 11:19 PM 11/12/2020
Last updated: 11:19 PM 11/12/2020