from agreeable to immoral. In the Early
Middle Ages, the church was disorganized and non-established. Although the progression of the Middle Ages led to the furtherance
of the Church, there were many set backs in the reputation of the papacy. The weakness of the papacy was a result of ineffective
and corrupt churches. The tenth century was a period of religious decline with privately owned monasteries and churches, the selling
of papal positions, and the incompetence of the popes. Pope John XII, 955, is an example of the inadequacy of the popes of this
time period. He was young and incapable, and gave the papacy a bad name by acting sinfully. The people lost respect for the
church, and could no longer view it as the ideal way of life. These views were altered in the High Middle Ages when the papacy
became increasingly powerful in a prosperous time. The centralization of the church enabled Christianity to revitalize the spirit and
faith of the Church. The church was organized by several reforming movements of the cluny, monastery, and papacy. Corruption was
cleansed by new clerical laws, in addition to the canon law, that banned simony, clerical marriages, and immorality in the church.
The succession of popes became more favorable because the expectations of the pope were heightened, as he was seen as a
leader of faith having the grandest morals. Pope Gregory VII brought hope to the people by wanting to establish "right order in the
world," and this stimulated people to regain faith in Christianity. Christianity influenced art, literature, and education. Art and
architecture were ways to demonstrate Christian belief through divine cathedrals, paintings of biblical scenes, and portraits of popes.
Charlemagne initiated the increase of literacy importance by instituting schooling in monastic communities. Changes in education
during this time period were the foundation of cathedral schools, interests in ancient...