The Church Hierarchy
The Church had its own hierarchy separate from the political hierarchy. The Church hierarchy was Pope, then the cardinals, archbishops, bishops and abbots, and priests, monks, and nuns. The Pope was the most powerful figure in the Church hierarchy. There was only one pope, and along with having religious responsibilities, he also had political power nearly equal to the power of the monarch. The cardinals were after the Pope on the Church hierarchy. Their role was to elect a new Pope, when the former Pope passed away or retired, however they rarely retired. The bishops followed the archbishops in the hierarchy. Locally, they were the most powerful religious figure. Abbots were after the bishops, but their roles in society were very similar. Both abbots and bishops usually came from noble families. Monarchs gave them land in exchange for military service, however, bishops and abbots could not fight. So in their place, they had knights fight in exchange for land. Priests, monks, and nuns were the lowest form of clergy. Monks lived in monasteries.
-Chloe L.
-Chloe L.