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Religious concerns in 14th century Florence
Preoccupation with death and the afterlife was never more so than in medieval times. Wars, famine, disease, floods, fires, and violence within overcrowded cities - all gave rise to unexpected deaths and were constant reminders of man's mortality. Christian doctrine taught that through death one could attain grace and eternal life, but that everyone would be held accountable for the life they had lived on Earth.
Through preaching to the laity, the friars of the Mendicant Orders had increased general knowledge of the concepts of Heaven and Hell, of salvation and damnation, of sin and penance. With knowledge came fear and anxiety, awareness of the consequences of dying in the state of sin. To avoid suffering in the after-life, the faithful were urge to repent their sins, carry out devotions, and live a pious and moral life.
This was not always easy to achieve, especially when wealth was gained through sinful means such as usury. Increasing urbanisation had led to a rapid growth in trade and commerce, bringing considerable financial benefits to an elite of burghers, notably merchants, bankers and notaries. While they emphasised civic responsibilities and industriousness, the growth of this class was associated with pride and greed. However, by spending money in this life on charitable acts, buying indulgences, and commissioning religious works it was believed that one could pay off debts in the life hereafter.
Mendicant Orders
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