Church Attendance

Did people go to church in the 11th century when Macbeth was set?

Yes, people generally attended church in the 11th century. The church was a central part of the medieval life, influencing daily rituals, social events and community gatherings. The Catholic Church, the dominant religious institution in Western Europe, played a vital role in people's lives influencing everything from their daily routines to their belief. 

Did people go to church in the 17th century when James I was King?

Church of English services were a legal mandate in 17th century England, with penalties for non attendance. Church had a powerful position from which to influence people.

Religion plays a significant role in Shakespeare's Macbeth. The church in the 17th century upheld the Divine Right of Kings, teaching that monarchs were God's chosen representatives on Earth. Overthrowing a king is a sin against divine order. Macbeth's regicide (killing Duncan) is not just a political crime but a sacrilegious act disrupting the divine order.