ABSTRACT
Christianity and the Church were ever-present in the life of the individual, throughout society, though how marked their involvement was must have varied over time and space, depending on the extent and quality of the pastoral care that was provided. It probably peaked in late-tenth- and early-eleventh-century England. Most of this chapter relates to that time and place. Everyday life entailed participation in Christian activities, some frequent, some only once, others depending on circumstances. All laity should have attended church weekly, and been baptised and confirmed. Many probably witnessed the baptisms and confirmations of others. Peasants probably saw the dedication of a new church only once, if ever, but aristocrats might have seen it often, in different places. The spectacle of public penance probably involved different penitents each time, but may have been available every year. Congregations were frequently warned about what constituted sin, and how it would affect their fate after death, and at the Last Judgement. Churchmen voiced anxiety about salvation and emphasised both how individuals could help themselves to achieve it, and how they could help others, including the dead, to do so. There was little, if any, sense of distinction between what would today be regarded as different worlds, the natural and the supernatural. The fact that the Old English language does not have different words for them suggests this, 1 and it is clear from the texts. God and the Church were regularly asked for help, about regular and frequent problems and concerns. Some misfortunes and sufferings were attributed to evil spirits, and some to divine punishment for sin.
