Magic, Heresy and the Medieval Church Term Paper by Top Papers

The paper discusses how magic evolved from a commonplace belief to something that was inextricably bound up with the notion of heresy, and, the most commonplace calamities, such as crop failures, could be attributed to magic in an era that lacked scientific knowledge. Thus, the paper shows how over and above the organized sects of doctrinal heretics, many other innocent people were also subjected to the brutality of a Church intent of maintaining power and control. In all, it is shown that no one was safe from the Church as it strove - often by the most brutal means, such as torture and murder - to maintain its power.