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The Church - GCSE History Definition

Reviewed by: Zoe Wade

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The term, the Church, usually refers to the official Christian religious organisation, which was a major part of life in Europe, especially in the Middle Ages. It was not just a religious institution, but also a powerful organisation that influenced many aspects of people’s lives. The Church was responsible for teaching and spreading Christian beliefs and values, running schools, and helping the poor and sick. It played a crucial role in governance, sometimes having more power than kings and queens. Key figures included priests, bishops, and the Pope in the Roman Catholic Church, who was seen as the most important leader for Christians in Europe.

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Zoe Wade

Reviewer: Zoe Wade

Expertise: History Content Creator

Zoe has worked in education for 10 years as a teaching assistant and a teacher. This has given her an in-depth perspective on how to support all learners to achieve to the best of their ability. She has been the Lead of Key Stage 4 History, showing her expertise in the Edexcel GCSE syllabus and how best to revise. Ever since she was a child, Zoe has been passionate about history. She believes now, more than ever, the study of history is vital to explaining the ever-changing world around us. Zoe’s focus is to create accessible content that breaks down key historical concepts and themes to achieve GCSE success.

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