Religion and lay society
Julia M. H. Smith
In exploring the religion of eighth and ninth centuries, this chapter inevitably explores its society too. Differentiations religious experience by gender status are pointed out. The laity was as variegated lay itself. surveying Europe over two centuries pervasive change, one may well ask what urban population of, say, early medieval Milan had in common with that new converts Charlemagne's Saxony. Baptism provides an answer. distinguished Christians from non-Christians, fideles pagani. Social affected way people participated ecclesiastical celebrations. For rich, festivals such Christmas were opportunities to bedeck themselves their finest apparel. course clergy Christian church took a steadily growing part shaping ritual liturgy which encompassed so many aspects human existence.