By that I mean, during the "Dark" Ages until the Renaissance, between the early church before it became a state religion and the Reformation. What was the historic Christian life like? Specifically, what was their walk and faith like? I don't mean that of monks and priests, but of the common folk who were largely illiterate, had little education, and largely based their faith and beliefs according to what they were told by their priests.
The common and poor were rarely written about, but do we have manuscripts discussing people's daily faith? What do they say?
I ask because the Reformation touts how it not only reformed the faith, but also put the word in people's hands. They could read it for themselves.
We are told scripturally and by pastors that god wants to have a relationship with us.
I read somewhere recently that many early/medieval Christians would pray by saying Psalms. The rosary was invented in the 13th century.
Prayer is part of how we're supposed to have a relationship with god.
So, for ~1200 years did most common Christians have a relationship with god based on an understanding of what modern Christians believe a relationship with god must look like? Could it be said that they had a real relationship with god? If not, were they Christians?