Michael Jernigan

The Roman Catholic Church played an enormous role in the lives the 14th century Britons. Parish churches were widely distributed throughout the countryside, demonstrating the strong piety of the age. Such faith in Catholicism arose from the dominant belief in "judgement" and death, which plagued medieval life. Geographically, churches held a central role in towns (Roberts and Roberts 1.134). In addition, the church was also highly visible in roadside shrines and wayside crosses. Not only were churches central in a spiritual role but in an economic one as well. Bishoprics and monasteries held some of the greatest lands in the realm. Archbishops could amass fortunes comparable to that of the greatest barons (Roberts and Roberts 1.134).

The 14th Century witnessed severe corruption among the clergy. In order to maintain their livelihood, peasants were responsible provide the bishop or priest with a small tribute initially this was some portion of food. However, it later developed into a monetary supplement. Since the level of these payments varied greatly this provided for pluralism among the bishops. Pluralism occurred when a bishop would oversee more than one parish. Non-resident priests would often oversee several churches at one time. Pluralists spent their time wining and dining the gentry instead of praying and conducting the matters of the church. The wealthy often rented the front-most pews prohibiting the poor, the ones most in need of help, from interacting with the priests (Roberts and Roberts 2.498). Because of such practices the church failed to perform even the most rudimentary services, deserting thousands of people. Towards the end of the 14th Century these events lead to a rise in anti-clericalism (Roberts and Roberts 2.498).

Franciscan friars arose from thirteen priests who migrated across the English Channel. They were priests bound by three oaths: poverty, obedience, and chastity. The friars were forbidden to own land or property, therefore avoiding several of the criticisms of the church. The traveling priests lived crudely, their livelihood depended on charity. Friars preached in the public, often to the peasants; hence they played a significant role in the revitalization of religious life in England (Roberts and Roberts 1.134).