Medieval Worship in England

By the end of the 12th century all of Europe had embraced Christianity and in medieval England, the main religion, as with the rest of Great Britain, was Roman Catholicism. The Pope in Rome was its leader and he wielded unrivalled power and influence over both the ordinary, common man as well as the King.

The medieval church in England did not just provide spiritual support for the people however. It also was a great source of medical, nutritional and educational support for many local communities. So they became reliant upon their local church or monastery for the most important things in life.

Places of worship in medieval England were built to serve different purposes which explains why we have churches, cathedrals, monasteries and abbeys.

(Right: Ancient cross the upper part of which is dated to the 12th or 13th century in Arthuret Churchyard Longtown near Carlisle Cumbria)