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The Power and Importance of the Medieval Church

Pilgrimage Motivation

Read this section of the Medieval Pilgrimage website and make a copy of the text on your laptop and then answer the following questions: 

  1. In your own words explain briefly the three reasons why medieval people went on a pilgrimage.
  2. Empathetic pilgrimages were undertaken to see and touch holy places and objects. Why was it important to medieval people to actually be able to see and touch holy things?
  3. Carefully explain the ideas of 'sin' and 'penance'.
  4. Some pilgrimages were forced and others were voluntary. Explain the difference between them.
  5. What was a vicarious pilgrimage?
  6. What were 'indulgences'? Why did indulgences make pilgrimages so popular?
  7. Pilgrimage has sometimes been described as a sort of medieval tourism. Make a list of similarities between being a medieval pilgrim and a modern day tourist. 

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