How widespread were the concepts of the seven deadly sins and the seven heavenly virtues during the Middle Ages?

by Testosterone_Tornado
sunagainstgold

Lists of the virtues and vices were the basis of medieval moral instruction in the later Middle Ages. The idea of virtues countering specific vices, too, was a bedrock principle of teaching. You see the prominence of vices-and-virtues right from the real beginning of widespread ecclesiastical attention to instruction of the laity in the late 12th century. Since moral teaching was also the central aspect of religious instruction, yes, the vices and virtues were everywhere. (Physically as well--lots of church art depicting the personifications of Luxuria, Superbia, and so forth.)

Specific instances in sermons or instructional literature weren't always seven, though: sometimes you might find a shorter list ("these are the three deadliest sins") or a longer one. The virtues tended to shift around more than the deadliest vices.

The fifteenth century, according to Robert Bast, witnessed a growing movement towards the use of the Ten Commandments instead of the virtues and vices as the principle unit of moral teaching. But the virtues and vices endured. People were reading and pastors were preaching out of sermon books written earlier. 15C authors of more comprehensive catechetical texts will often discuss both the decalogue and the vices by way of moral instruction.