Synod of Worcester facts for kids

The Synod of Worcester was an important church meeting held in Worcester, England, on July 26, 1240. It was led by the local bishop, Walter de Cantilupe. This special meeting, called a synod, took place in the grand cathedral.

During the synod, many new rules were created. These rules were about how godparents should act, and how both church leaders (called the clergy) and regular church members (called lay people) should live their lives.

What Was Decided at the Synod?

The Synod of Worcester made several key decisions that affected daily life and religious practices. These rules aimed to improve how people practiced their faith and behaved.

Rules for Godparents

One important rule was about godparents. The synod decided that every child should have exactly three godparents. This was a specific number to ensure proper guidance for the child's religious upbringing.

Banning Mockery and Games

The synod also made rules about what was not allowed.

• Games that made fun of religious things were strictly forbidden. This meant people could not mock sacred beliefs or practices.
• For church leaders, the clergy, playing the game of chess was also banned. This rule might have been to ensure they focused on their religious duties.

Lady Day: A Day of Rest

Another significant rule concerned a special day called Lady Day. This day celebrates the Feast of the Annunciation, which is when Christians believe the Virgin Mary was told she would have a child. The synod declared that Lady Day should be a day of complete rest. This meant no one was allowed to do any "servile work," which refers to common labor or chores.

Following Church Guidance

These new rules and changes made at the Synod of Worcester were not new ideas. They were actually following the advice and guidelines set by a much larger and more important church meeting. This meeting was called the Fourth Lateran Council, which had taken place earlier in 1215. The synod in Worcester helped to make sure these wider church rules were put into practice locally.