Editing More Pollock than Mondrian (section)

==Abstract==
* WG150 - Christianity more resembles the art of Jackson Pollock than a Piet Mondrian, no established order in either the Roman church or the Celtic church, a "glorious creative energy of chaos". Centuries 1-6 - Part 1 covers the early emergence of Christianity in various areas of the Eastern and Western Roman Empire and its growth after the conversions of Constantine in Eastern Europe and Clovis in Western Europe, following system influenced by the Empire. It examines the difference between "church" and "kingdom" and discusses the civil roles assumed by literate clerics. It discusses the development of the Celtic church along clan lines and the beginnings of the monastic system.

* WG151 - Centuries 7-8 - Part 2 focuses on the "micro-Christendoms" relevant to "King Hereafter". It covers the conflicts between Celtic and English/Roman Christianity, including papal authority, St. Columbanus and Benedictine monastic rule and the hierarchy of the monastic houses. It discusses the significant impact of the Carolingian dynasty, most particularly Charlemagne, and the increase in conversions (forced) following wars. Missionary work by Boniface and others to the pagan Germans led to many conversions and a standardization of ecclesiastical law and practices. A change in the vision of rulership and personal responsibility occurs during this period. The "divine right of kings" becomes established.

* WG152 - Centuries 9-10 - Part 3. Christianity was greatly threatened by Viking, Magyar and Arab incursions. The Vikings and Magyars were eventually settled and converted. The Arabs settled, but were not converted. They were defeated and driven out of Europe, retaining lands and influence in what was the Byzantine Empire. The Arabs disrupted maritime trading and established trade routes and at least one major center of civilization, Córdoba, Spain.  The Viking raids in England and Northern Europe targeted churches and monasteries because of the concentration of gold and precious objects. Christianity was ultimately saved because of the settlements which made conversion possible. Rulers converted to Christianity because of the structure and education provided by the church. Monasticism also began a shift during this period with the development of the larger orders such as Cluny. Scandinavia was much slower to convert. The churches of western and southern Europe were controlled by the wealthy and powerful bishoprics of the region. Thorfinn makes a choice for economic and political reasons to align himself with the pope in Rome rather than the impoverished Archbishop of Hamburg who was tasked with the conversion of Scandinavia.

* WG153 - Turn of the Millennium - Part 4 focuses on the state of Europe at the opening of KH. England, which was united under one king, was stable with strong leadership and a highly-educated clergy and nobility. It had growing ties with the European continent. The Church, on the other hand, was insular and old-fashioned. The Church was linked to Rome and was a blend of Celtic and Roman. Control was in the hands of the king and there was less dependence on monasticism. The country we know as Scotland was split, with little or no influence by Christianity in the north and poor bishoprics and monasteries in the south. Scandinavia was only recently converted and was still subject to pagan influences. Religious connections were with England. West Francia was fragmented by a number of duchies. The churches were highly influenced by the current ruler not by external Christian centers or the Pope. East Francia was held together by much larger duchies. The churches had more in common with the English Church because of the missions from England and Ireland. The Papacy underwent great changes in the second millennium. The Pope was considered ‘the first among equals’. There were many popes and anti-popes during this century and a high degree of corruption. A number of popes attempted reforms, including the demand for celibacy and the end to simony.

* WG154 - First Millennium - Part 5. During this period, society is divided by rank with access to nobility increasingly set by birth. The laws of primogeniture were more the norm rather than titles being awarded by the king. Power struggles between the church, king and nobility have increased. The king is seen as the head of the church and increasingly responsible for the collective behavior of his flock. The church was to insure salvation, the nobility to sustain and defend Christendom. Much of the arable land was in the hands of the church creating great wealth and power. Bishops controlled much of this land. Depending on the strength of the king and the monasteries, bishoprics could be attained by election, appointment by the king or by buying the position (simony). Politics often controlled these appointments. Slavery was still practiced, even by the Church.

* WG155 - First Millennium - Part 6. The final installment of this series explores the world of the medieval man and woman. The concept of reality was very different than today, the Christian god vs physical theories. Medieval people believed in fate and free will. Avoidance of Hell or eternal damnation could be earned in a number of ways such as doing penances, goin on a pilgrimage, Paying for masses to be said or by granting land or gifting relics to the church. Relics were a major source of income for a church or monastery. In the early half of the 11th Century, priests could marry and have children. The Georgian Reforms of 1073 instituted clerical celibacy and outlawed simony. This resulted in a more cohesive European Christianity controlled by the papacy which remained virtually unchanged until 1517 with the reformation by Martin Luther.