How did commoners primarily gain access to literacy and education during the Middle Ages?

Commoners primarily gained access to literacy and education during the Middle Ages through Church officials and priests. The Church was one of the few institutions that emphasized education and literacy at the time, primarily for religious purposes. Monasteries and cathedrals became centers of learning, where clergy were responsible for teaching reading and writing, often using religious texts such as the Bible. This provided a pathway for commoners to gain literacy skills, as they could access educational resources and instruction from the Church.

Printed books didn’t become widely available until the invention of the printing press in the 15th century, which was after the Middle Ages. While universities did exist, they were primarily accessible to the elite and nobility due to the costs and requirements of higher education. Noble tutors also catered mostly to those in the upper classes, further restricting access for commoners. Therefore, the Church played a crucial role as a bridge to education for the majority of the population during this period.