My aim here is to give a broad idea of the Gregorian reform,
the new orders that emerged and the effect this had on society.at large.
This week’s readings focused on what can be described as the
‘great upsurge of the medieval West’. This occurred from about the year 1000 onwards
in which the population doubled. As a result there became an increase in land
clearances and built up areas becoming clustered. In what resembled the
urbanisation of the 19th century the economic upswing lead to the creation of
networking towns which became economic, political and cultural meccas. This
urbanisation impacted on all sectors of society from the church to the status
of the people. Economic and social inequality was determined by ownership of
land and buildings in town rather than strictly dependent on birth and family.
There also seemed to be a trend towards liberty and perhaps away from
feudalism. The changing society was reflected in the ecclesiastical world
through what is known as the Gregorian reform. This reform ‘released the church
society from feudal secular domination’ and aimed largely at a return to
sources and to achieve the true apostolic life. It is apparent that these
changes within the church were an effort to find a place amongst the evolving
society and possibly to remain relevant to the people of which found themselves
with new liberties. Of larger focus for this week’s readings is the emergence
of new religious orders in which laymen played a greater role in religion. These
orders were eager for reform within the church and were against the corrupt
clergy. These orders were as much political as they were religious. Many things
came from the reformation ranging from new concepts of sacraments to the
scholastic revolution, demonstrating that there was indeed a great change in
society.
--Dion
