What were the problems in the church, during chaucers time?

Answer 1

Hi,

during the early part of the last millennia the church itself had few problems. They were unchallenged and were very powerful.

The people, however, had problems with the church. The church decided almost everything (even politics) and the whole population of Britain needed the church's permission to do everything (and at a price, of course)

These days we believe the Victorians were straight-laced...they had nothing on Chaucer's contempories! People could, and were, ordered to give everything they owned over to the church and could be 'Shanghied' into service at any time. Free speech was not allowed and , as in later years regarding withcraft accusations, anyone could be deemed to be a 'witch' or 'blasphemous' and executed in various horrible ways. (Burning was very popular!)

Chaucer's famous writings were very much on the side of the church, and were designed to be read to people to persuade them of the church's (and God's) powers over their lives.

Hope that helps a little.

BobSpain