Pilgrimage During The Middle Ages
According to the oxford dictionary a pilgrimage is journey in which one takes of either moral or spiritual significance. Those who embark on a pilgrimage are known as a pilgrim and is usually a journey to either a holy place or shrine of importance significance for that person. During the Middle Ages life was dominated by wealth, order, class, state and most importantly religion. Religion played an important role in daily life. It effected the way people behaved and to what they believed. It is difficult to assess the reason to why each individual person embarked on a pilgrimage but it is believed that the main reason to why they did was to cleanse the body of the any sin it may hold or to ask for any help that person may require.
It was believed that the only way to ensure that you were washed of all sin was to embark on a holy journey or to visit a holy place and people of the Middle Ages believed that the more effective way of doing this was to take part on a pilgrimage. People of the middle ages wanted to be washed of all sin and wanted to ensure that they had a place in heaven once they died. The one way that was certain for them to accomplish this was to either visit a holy place of take part in a pilgrimage. The one that was most looked upon for the people of the …show more content…
Middle Ages was to visit the Holy Land, but this was a long and difficult journey. It would prove to be out of reach for the greater masses of people.
However, every cathedral, holy place or holy shrine was believed to be in favour of a saint and those unable to make the greater journey to the holy land could simply visit one of these cathedrals. It was believed that these holy places could help the lives of the people significantly. It was common for those who were near death to visit these holy places in hope their prayer would be heard and that they could be healed. They also hoped for a cure for loved ones in which a doctor would be unable to help and most importantly, people would visit these holy places or shrines in hope to confess for penance of their sins.
The most adventurous pilgrimage for the people of the middle Ages was that to the Holy Land. This was counted as such a religious deed that “he who aided any one in accomplishing it was looked upon as especially sure of a blessing; while he who hindered such a pilgrim might expect neither happiness nor prosperity.” The Holy Land held a great significance for those of the middle Ages as it was a place of Jesus himself. It was believed that taking a pilgrimage to the Holy Land was one of the greatest religious achievements that one could possess. The Middle Ages saw an increase need for pilgrimages.
For greater security they often joined themselves in companies and would often take arms. Historians argue that little was needed to turn these desires to visit the Holy Land into the idea of the Crusades. However during the eleventh century, Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land became concerned when the Seljuk Turks took over Jerusalem from the more tolerant Abbasid Muslims. In addition there had been tales of how the Turkish mistreated these Christian pilgrims that quickly circulated throughout Europe. Though there is evidence that these stories were propaganda, they none the less inflamed Christian public opinion.
Many of the historians who study the middle Ages have argued that people would have also participated in the Crusades as it was believed that by participating in these events you were embarking on a religious pilgrimage, in which one could have penance for their sins. Religion played such a significant role in daily life that people believed that by confessing their sins they would ensure that they had a safe passage to heaven once they died. It was ultimate goal for those of the Middle Ages, to have a place in heaven where they were washed of all grievance, regret and sin that could taint their soul.
These Crusades were designed to claim back the Holy Land of Jerusalem. The church had a significance influence over the events of the Crusades and was classed as it religious privilege to take part. While it was frowned upon for people to murder, those who murdered in the name of the church or to protect the church would be rewarded. It was believed that those who took arms to protect the church would be protected by God of all danger that may harm them and that God would absolve him of all sin.
For those unable to make the journey to the Holy Land saw this as an effective way in which they could collect penance for their sins. At Clermont in central France, Pope Urban II delivered the speech on November 27th, 1095, which launched the expedition now known as the First Crusade. Those who he called upon were done so to relieve the oppression of Eastern Christians and to liberate the Holy Places. It was believed that by participating one would earn remission of one's penances because of the great hardships which would be faced. The pope's message was bold and it received an enthusiastic response.
According to one of the chroniclers everyone shouted “God wills it!” once Pope Urban stopped speaking. Even though these Crusades were of religious significance they held much danger and the results were very costly. Those who participated where granted penance and those who died whilst on the crusades had a promise of become of saint. However, to able to participate in the Crusades one will need supplies, money and at least one horse. Many we unable to meet the requirement, but it was believed that those who aided the people who participated in the pilgrimages or crusades would also receive rewards.
One of the most significant holy places to visit for those unable to visit the Holy Land was the place of Thomas Becket at Canterbury. Thomas Becket had been the archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his death in 1170 where he was murdered. There had been a feeling of betrayal between Thomas Beck and King Henry III when he arrived back from France in 1163 which caused a strain on their relationship. These strains came about when Thomas Becket disagreed with Henry III on how the clergy of the church should be dealt with. Henry believed that those found of serious crime should be handed to his own personal court.
While at first Becket agreed, after having talk with the other church leaders he believed that the church should retain control on asserting punishment to its own clergymen. There had been another incident in 1164 which again involved Thomas Becket where he had a falling out over land. He was also accused of stealing money from the government fund when he was chancellor. While Thomas Becket denied all charges he still agreed to pay the money back, however Henry didn’t accept the archbishops offer and told him that he should stand trial.
With the mention of treason Thomas fled to France and with the help of Henry III enemy King Louis VII started a campaign against Henry. Henry feared that with the help of pope that Thomas Becket would be able to excommunicate him from the church. It was with the return to England that Thomas Becket would meet his death. By the hands of four of Henry knights, Becket was hacked to death at Canterbury cathedral. It was here that he became a martyr and a saint to the people of the middle Ages.
In the Canterbury Tales it is said that the cathedral holds a vile of Becket blood and those who drink water with just a single drop would be cured of what disease became of them, whether it be an illness, deafness and even blindness. It is believed that this was one of the main reason to why people embarked on a pilgrimage to Canterbury. A pilgrimage to Canterbury was significant for those of the Middle Ages has it was believed that you would be cured of any illness. Another popular place to visit was Walsingham in Norfolk where it was believed that there was a phial of the Virgin Mary’s breast milk. There is story where, St. Bernard, a monk of the middle ages tells of his experience with the Virgin Mary.
It was believed that while worshipping the shrine of Mary she came to him in a vision and presented him with her milk, thus curing his blindness. We can see from many of his works that he had a burning affection for the Virgin Mary as he often speaks with a burning devotion to her. The story of St. Bernard’s experience with the shrine of Virgin Mary spread quickly, and many would visit this shrine in a form of a pilgrimage, hoping to receive the same experience as he did. They came from far and wide, hoping to find a cure for their disease and hoping to receive the wisdom of God themselves.
This held great significance for the people of the Middle Ages as the breast milk of the Virgin Mary was considered to be of great virtue. They believed they were extremely blessed just to receive a drop of her milk. This is an engraving of the “Lactation of Saint Bernard.” The images depicts the Virgin Mary shooting milk into the eye of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux from her right breast which allegedly cured an eye infection. It was images like this that made people believe in the healing powers of Mary’s milk, thus allowing them to hope in receiving these powers for themselves.
Images like these depict the strong influence that religion had over the beliefs and reasons for the people of the middle ages.
The images depicts the miracle workings of the Virgin Mary and would have provided hope for those who needed it. Pilgrimages were significant for the people of the middle ages as it provided hope and even clarity. Spiritual rewards, examples to show devotion, penance for sins and insurance for a place in heaven were some of the reasons pilgrims travelled for days to an often far away shrine or holy place. Pilgrimages during the middle Ages held great significance for those who took part. Life for people in the middle ages was filled with devastation disease and
death.
It was believed that religion had such a strong hold over the people of the middle ages as it acted as an outlet for one’s grief and hope. Pilgrimages held a great significance and became a popular religious practices as people believed it was one of the most effective ways in which one could receive penance for their sins, show their devotion to God and to receive help. It provided them with hope, and possibly a cure for an illness in which a doctor will be unable to help. Pilgrimages were a way of allowing people to express hope, their desires, their grief and their hopes in receiving clarity.
It was believed that the only way to ensure that you were washed of all sin was to embark on a holy journey or to visit a holy place and people of the Middle Ages believed that the more effective way of doing this was to take part on a pilgrimage. People of the middle ages wanted to be washed of all sin and wanted to ensure that they had a place in heaven once they died. The one way that was certain for them to accomplish this was to either visit a holy place of take part in a pilgrimage. The one that was most looked upon for the people of the …show more content…
Middle Ages was to visit the Holy Land, but this was a long and difficult journey. It would prove to be out of reach for the greater masses of people.
However, every cathedral, holy place or holy shrine was believed to be in favour of a saint and those unable to make the greater journey to the holy land could simply visit one of these cathedrals. It was believed that these holy places could help the lives of the people significantly. It was common for those who were near death to visit these holy places in hope their prayer would be heard and that they could be healed. They also hoped for a cure for loved ones in which a doctor would be unable to help and most importantly, people would visit these holy places or shrines in hope to confess for penance of their sins.
The most adventurous pilgrimage for the people of the middle Ages was that to the Holy Land. This was counted as such a religious deed that “he who aided any one in accomplishing it was looked upon as especially sure of a blessing; while he who hindered such a pilgrim might expect neither happiness nor prosperity.” The Holy Land held a great significance for those of the middle Ages as it was a place of Jesus himself. It was believed that taking a pilgrimage to the Holy Land was one of the greatest religious achievements that one could possess. The Middle Ages saw an increase need for pilgrimages.
For greater security they often joined themselves in companies and would often take arms. Historians argue that little was needed to turn these desires to visit the Holy Land into the idea of the Crusades. However during the eleventh century, Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land became concerned when the Seljuk Turks took over Jerusalem from the more tolerant Abbasid Muslims. In addition there had been tales of how the Turkish mistreated these Christian pilgrims that quickly circulated throughout Europe. Though there is evidence that these stories were propaganda, they none the less inflamed Christian public opinion.
Many of the historians who study the middle Ages have argued that people would have also participated in the Crusades as it was believed that by participating in these events you were embarking on a religious pilgrimage, in which one could have penance for their sins. Religion played such a significant role in daily life that people believed that by confessing their sins they would ensure that they had a safe passage to heaven once they died. It was ultimate goal for those of the Middle Ages, to have a place in heaven where they were washed of all grievance, regret and sin that could taint their soul.
These Crusades were designed to claim back the Holy Land of Jerusalem. The church had a significance influence over the events of the Crusades and was classed as it religious privilege to take part. While it was frowned upon for people to murder, those who murdered in the name of the church or to protect the church would be rewarded. It was believed that those who took arms to protect the church would be protected by God of all danger that may harm them and that God would absolve him of all sin.
For those unable to make the journey to the Holy Land saw this as an effective way in which they could collect penance for their sins. At Clermont in central France, Pope Urban II delivered the speech on November 27th, 1095, which launched the expedition now known as the First Crusade. Those who he called upon were done so to relieve the oppression of Eastern Christians and to liberate the Holy Places. It was believed that by participating one would earn remission of one's penances because of the great hardships which would be faced. The pope's message was bold and it received an enthusiastic response.
According to one of the chroniclers everyone shouted “God wills it!” once Pope Urban stopped speaking. Even though these Crusades were of religious significance they held much danger and the results were very costly. Those who participated where granted penance and those who died whilst on the crusades had a promise of become of saint. However, to able to participate in the Crusades one will need supplies, money and at least one horse. Many we unable to meet the requirement, but it was believed that those who aided the people who participated in the pilgrimages or crusades would also receive rewards.
One of the most significant holy places to visit for those unable to visit the Holy Land was the place of Thomas Becket at Canterbury. Thomas Becket had been the archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his death in 1170 where he was murdered. There had been a feeling of betrayal between Thomas Beck and King Henry III when he arrived back from France in 1163 which caused a strain on their relationship. These strains came about when Thomas Becket disagreed with Henry III on how the clergy of the church should be dealt with. Henry believed that those found of serious crime should be handed to his own personal court.
While at first Becket agreed, after having talk with the other church leaders he believed that the church should retain control on asserting punishment to its own clergymen. There had been another incident in 1164 which again involved Thomas Becket where he had a falling out over land. He was also accused of stealing money from the government fund when he was chancellor. While Thomas Becket denied all charges he still agreed to pay the money back, however Henry didn’t accept the archbishops offer and told him that he should stand trial.
With the mention of treason Thomas fled to France and with the help of Henry III enemy King Louis VII started a campaign against Henry. Henry feared that with the help of pope that Thomas Becket would be able to excommunicate him from the church. It was with the return to England that Thomas Becket would meet his death. By the hands of four of Henry knights, Becket was hacked to death at Canterbury cathedral. It was here that he became a martyr and a saint to the people of the middle Ages.
In the Canterbury Tales it is said that the cathedral holds a vile of Becket blood and those who drink water with just a single drop would be cured of what disease became of them, whether it be an illness, deafness and even blindness. It is believed that this was one of the main reason to why people embarked on a pilgrimage to Canterbury. A pilgrimage to Canterbury was significant for those of the Middle Ages has it was believed that you would be cured of any illness. Another popular place to visit was Walsingham in Norfolk where it was believed that there was a phial of the Virgin Mary’s breast milk. There is story where, St. Bernard, a monk of the middle ages tells of his experience with the Virgin Mary.
It was believed that while worshipping the shrine of Mary she came to him in a vision and presented him with her milk, thus curing his blindness. We can see from many of his works that he had a burning affection for the Virgin Mary as he often speaks with a burning devotion to her. The story of St. Bernard’s experience with the shrine of Virgin Mary spread quickly, and many would visit this shrine in a form of a pilgrimage, hoping to receive the same experience as he did. They came from far and wide, hoping to find a cure for their disease and hoping to receive the wisdom of God themselves.
This held great significance for the people of the Middle Ages as the breast milk of the Virgin Mary was considered to be of great virtue. They believed they were extremely blessed just to receive a drop of her milk. This is an engraving of the “Lactation of Saint Bernard.” The images depicts the Virgin Mary shooting milk into the eye of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux from her right breast which allegedly cured an eye infection. It was images like this that made people believe in the healing powers of Mary’s milk, thus allowing them to hope in receiving these powers for themselves.
Images like these depict the strong influence that religion had over the beliefs and reasons for the people of the middle ages.
The images depicts the miracle workings of the Virgin Mary and would have provided hope for those who needed it. Pilgrimages were significant for the people of the middle ages as it provided hope and even clarity. Spiritual rewards, examples to show devotion, penance for sins and insurance for a place in heaven were some of the reasons pilgrims travelled for days to an often far away shrine or holy place. Pilgrimages during the middle Ages held great significance for those who took part. Life for people in the middle ages was filled with devastation disease and
death.
It was believed that religion had such a strong hold over the people of the middle ages as it acted as an outlet for one’s grief and hope. Pilgrimages held a great significance and became a popular religious practices as people believed it was one of the most effective ways in which one could receive penance for their sins, show their devotion to God and to receive help. It provided them with hope, and possibly a cure for an illness in which a doctor will be unable to help. Pilgrimages were a way of allowing people to express hope, their desires, their grief and their hopes in receiving clarity.