& Churches: In medieval times, religion controlled daily life.
By 1350 CE, there was one church or chapel for every 200 people,
with more churches being built all the time. All the important
events of life took place in the medieval church - baptism,
confirmation, marriage, and burial. Cathedrals were fancy
churches. It cost a fortune and several decades to build a
cathedral. Cathedrals were splendid, with no expense spared.
They were built to honor God. In France alone, between 1050 CE
and 1350 CE, over 500 cathedrals and 1000 parish churches were
built. Most cathedrals were built in the shape of a cross. They
had high arches and tall ceilings. Some ceilings were 100 feet
high. Underneath the cathedral, workers usually built a crypt,
which was a combination storage area for the town, and graveyard
for the clergy. Only the most talented craftsman were allowed to
work on a cathedral. Some spent their whole lives building one
church. Workers were paid with food and housing. Some also
received a little money to