Reply To: Bibles for the illiterate

[Valene]

During the Romanesque period, the use of pictorial iconography for moral purposes became widespread. It was very common for all people who were not church leadership to be illiterate. Intricate and complex religious scenes were used to guide and teach the Christian doctrine. Buildings were planned to have an arched area above the doors of the church, to show scenes such as the Last Judgment to set the mood upon entering the church, and other biblical stories, saints, and prophets decorated interior and exterior doors, and walls. This way all economic and literate worshipers could understand the teachings of the church.