Power Structure of the Church: At the top of the heap locally, the abbots and bishops had great power. In a local monastery, the monks did the work, and the abbots and bishops were the power.  Abbots reported to bishops. Bishops reported to cardinals. There were only a few cardinals, and only one pope. The cardinals served the pope, and the pope served God.  Abbots and Bishops: Most abbots and bishops came from noble families. They received land from kings in exchange for military service. But they could not fight. They were religious leaders. They gave some of their land to knights to fight in their place. In exchange for the land, the knights pledged themselves as vassals of the bishops and abbots. That gave abbots and bishops quick access to men who could fight.  Wealth Flowed Into the Church: The church received donations of land, jewelry, and money from nobles as acts of penance. Nobles paid the church to educate their children. Everyone paid the church for various sacraments.  To share in this wealth, many lords began appointing their relatives to the the position of local abbot and bishop. Their relatives dined with the lord's family. They dressed in rich robes. They wore jewelry. They lived well while villagers went hungry.  A Call for Reform: Not all the leaders of the church were careless or corrupt. Many abbots and bishops all over the land starting calling for reform.     Bishops, Priests, and Monks (thinkquest)    To return to the index,  click on the castle