To make each cathedral and each little church in the land unique, each had its own holy relic. A holy relic is something that belonged to or was touched by Jesus or a saint. A treasured relic might be bone fragment or a tiny piece of the cross. 

The Latin word sacramentum means "a sign of the sacred." The seven sacraments are ceremonies that point to what is sacred, significant and important for Christians. They are special occasions for experiencing God's saving presence.

For Catholics, the Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship. Whether we are baptized as infants or adults, Baptism is the Church's way of celebrating and enacting the embrace of God

Catholics believe the Eucharist, or Communion, is both a sacrifice and a meal. We believe in the real presence of Jesus, who died for our sins. As we receive Christ's Body and Blood, we also are nourished spiritually and brought closer to God.

5 Famous features of the cathedrals 5.1 Bristol Cathedral 5.2 Canterbury Cathedral 5.3 Carlisle Cathedral 5.4 Chester Cathedral 5.5 Chichester Cathedral 5.6 Durham Cathedral 5.7 Ely Cathedral 5.8 Exeter Cathedral 5.9 Gloucester Cathedral 5.10 Hereford Cathedral 5.11 Lichfield Cathedral 5.12 Lincoln Cathedral 5.13 Manchester Cathedral 5.14 Norwich Cathedral 5.15 Oxford Cathedral 5.16 Peterborough Cathedral 5.17 Ripon Cathedral 5.18 Rochester Cathedral 5.19 St Albans Cathedral 5.20 Salisbury Cathedral 5.21 Southwark Cathedral 5.22 Southwell Minster 5.23 Wells Cathedral 5.24 Winchester Cathedral 5.25 Worcester Cathedral 5.26 York Minster

Over the centuries, the splendor of these sacred structures has inspired believers, poets, painters and writers alike. The Medieval Gothic Cathedrals are the most beautiful religious buildings the Christian World has created. Their breathtaking material appearance is a symbol of the Christian faith, as they literally try to reach heaven. Their orientation East-West is an expression of man's advancement towards God. Entering the cathedral from the West, you are surrounded by symbols. First, is the pattern of the labyrinth in the floor stone. What else then a Labyrinth life is? Going towards East, you leave the Labyrinth behind and start feeling the spirituality replacing the material, as you advance through the Nave, guided by the surreal light coming from the stained glass windows. In the end, you reach the eastern end chapels. There, closer to the raising sun (God), is the place of praying and profound meditation.

The Feudal System Right of Hunting

The Feudal System Right of Jurisdiction

Feudal Justice - Judicial Administration

Feudalism - A system of Feudal Justice

Feudal Justice - The Oath

The Medieval Era, often called The Middle Ages or the Dark Ages, began just before 500 A.D. following a great loss of power throughout Europe by the Roman Emperor. The Middle Ages span roughly 1,000 years, ending around 1450 A.D. (Medieval actually means "Middle"!) In The Middle Ages people were busy: Building great Cathedrals as there was a huge rise in Christianity Building Great castles for local nobility Clearing large tracts of land by peasants and slaves for their Lords and Kings New towns and villages were popping up all over Europe

esulting in the foundation of many of today's modern European countries.

For safety and for defense, people formed small communities around a central Lord or Master. Most lived on a Manor, which consisted of the Castle, the Church, the Village, and the surrounding Farm Land. These Manors were isolated, with only occasional visits from peddlers or pilgrims on their way to the Crusades or soldiers from other fiefdoms (kingdoms).

William was a distant cousin of the English King Edward the Confessor and claimed that Edward, who had no children, had promised him the throne of England. He also claimed that when Harold Godwineson had been shipwrecked off Normandy, he had sworn to support his claim.

When Harold Godwineson was crowned King of England, William, with the approval of the Pope, began planning an invasion to take what was rightfully his. 

People in medieval times used personal and family banners and shields to express their identity and status in society. Think of your school logo, or the logo of a professional sports team

Heraldry includes a family motto and a family coat of arms. The actual design of the coat of arms followed a pattern, although each was distinctive. 

As time went on, a family's heraldry was recorded so that no one could copy the pattern or take it for themselves.

Feudalism PyramidFeudalism in the Middle Ages resembles a pyramid, with the lowest peasants at its base and the lines of authority flowing up to the peak of the structure, the king. Under Feudalism the King was only answerable to the Pope. Feudalism was based on the exchange of land for military service. Life lived under the Medieval Feudal System, or Feudalism, demanded that everyone owed allegiance to the King and their immediate superior.

Feudalism Pyramid - Fealty and HomageDuring the Middle Ages a portion of land called a fief would be granted by the King. This reward would be granted to him by his lord in exchange for his services. The recipient of the fief would be one of his vassals. The fief, or land, was usually granted following a Commendation Ceremony. The commendation ceremony was designed to create a lasting bond between a vassal and his lord. Fealty and homage were a key element of feudalism.