HIST 2260 Lecture Notes - Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, Evangelical Counsels, Gallican Church
Document Summary
Prior to reformation, christianity in the west was relaxed part of the fabric of life woven together in a way that defined separation complex web of inheritance, habit, relationship and obligation. France remained catholic, until the french revolution of 1789 when it experimented with atheism as a national religion. Today, has no official creed, and religious belief is rate, but when it occurs, is either catholic or muslim. After collapse of roman empire in west, france was overrun by germanic tribes - one of which, franks, became dominant - On eve of reformation, catholic church in france came closest to fitting description of national church - agreement between. Reformation presented very real threat to royal authority and royal control - abolition of catholicism meant substantial loss of authority, influence, and revenue. King of france agreed catholic clergy should pay tax to rome - but same clergy also collect taxes for king.