List at least three examples of the way the Christian church exercised authority, influenced daily life, and offered hope in Europe during the Middle Ages.

The church exercised authority by:

being the largest landowner in Europe

requiring people to attend church services

making laws and controlling the legal system

The church influenced daily life by:

making and enforcing laws of marriage

overseeing the writing of wills and contracts

requiring people to perform penance for misdeeds

collecting donations for cathedrals

teaching and educating

The church offered hope to Europeans by:

teaching that salvation was possible

offering people a chance to confess their sins and be forgiven