Collapse, Collapse, Corruption, and Corruption, and

Reform in Reform in Europe and the Europe and the

ChurchChurch

The The Carolingian Carolingian

World World CollapsesCollapses

Charlemagne died in 814 and was succeeded by Charlemagne died in 814 and was succeeded by his son Louis the Pious.his son Louis the Pious.

Louis made what many see as a great mistake: Louis made what many see as a great mistake: he divided the Holy Roman Empire among his he divided the Holy Roman Empire among his three sons, three sons, Lothair, Charles, and Louis the Lothair, Charles, and Louis the German.German.

They jockeyed for power until the They jockeyed for power until the Treaty of Treaty of Verdun (843), Verdun (843), which divided the kingdom into which divided the kingdom into three parts, western, middle, and eastern. three parts, western, middle, and eastern.

Amidst this division came new invaders: the Amidst this division came new invaders: the Saracens (Muslims) from the south, the Vikings Saracens (Muslims) from the south, the Vikings from the north, and the Slavs and Magyars from from the north, and the Slavs and Magyars from the east. the east.

1.1. With the division of the Holy Roman Empire a With the division of the Holy Roman Empire a power vacuum existed which created great power vacuum existed which created great amounts of political intrigue and jealous greed, amounts of political intrigue and jealous greed, not only in the great kingdoms, but also in local not only in the great kingdoms, but also in local cities and even within the Church.cities and even within the Church.

2.2. Aside from Aside from Pope Pope St. Nicholas I St. Nicholas I (858-(858-867), most popes 867), most popes of this time were of this time were either too weak to either too weak to resist the emperor resist the emperor and Roman nobility and Roman nobility or too corrupt to or too corrupt to even try. even try.

3.3. Pope John XIIPope John XIIa)a) one of the worst popes one of the worst popes

in history; in history; b)b) elected at eighteen; elected at eighteen; c)c) used his great temporal used his great temporal

power (he crowned power (he crowned Otto I Otto I as Holy Roman as Holy Roman Emperor) to cultivate Emperor) to cultivate his vices.his vices.

4.4. Many heroic monks and Many heroic monks and priests suffered terribly for priests suffered terribly for their attempt at reform.their attempt at reform.

1.1. Feudalism Feudalism a)a) As Charlemagne’s Empire collapsed, a new As Charlemagne’s Empire collapsed, a new

system of organization emerged throughout system of organization emerged throughout western society where governance was western society where governance was localized around towns or monasteries, localized around towns or monasteries, under the leadership of one lord.under the leadership of one lord.

b)b) contractual agreements between a king and contractual agreements between a king and his vassals (wealthy landowning lords) and his vassals (wealthy landowning lords) and the remainder of the population.the remainder of the population.

2.2. The Church was a great landowner and became deeply The Church was a great landowner and became deeply enmeshed in feudalism.enmeshed in feudalism.

a)a) Kings and great lords who had given land to the Kings and great lords who had given land to the Church now demanded that in exchange the Church Church now demanded that in exchange the Church give military aid in time of war.give military aid in time of war.

b)b) To insure that bishops and abbots would be To insure that bishops and abbots would be cooperative, kings and nobles began insisting their cooperative, kings and nobles began insisting their own men be installed as heads of dioceses and own men be installed as heads of dioceses and monasteries.monasteries.

c)c) Since these men were often chosen with little Since these men were often chosen with little regard for their knowledge of Christianity, the regard for their knowledge of Christianity, the Church began to deteriorate drastically and soon Church began to deteriorate drastically and soon corruption became the norm.corruption became the norm.

3.3. Feudalism Nearly Destroys the ChurchFeudalism Nearly Destroys the Church

i.i. Because of a breakdown in central authority in Because of a breakdown in central authority in Europe, feudalism became the way of life in Europe, feudalism became the way of life in Europe.Europe.

4.4. Interference by the Interference by the kings and lords in kings and lords in church matters led church matters led to three terrible to three terrible abuses:abuses:

a)a) nepotism-nepotism- the the appointment of appointment of family members family members to important to important positions of positions of authority within authority within the Church.the Church.

a)a) simonysimony- the selling of - the selling of church offices church offices (positions) by either (positions) by either secular or spiritual secular or spiritual rulers. rulers.

b)b) Lay Investiture Lay Investiture – high – high ranking lay person ranking lay person could appoint abbots or could appoint abbots or bishops, “investing” bishops, “investing” them with power and them with power and requiring their loyalty.requiring their loyalty.

1.1. The Vikings, or Norsemen, The Vikings, or Norsemen, would start their invasions of would start their invasions of Europe coming from Europe coming from Scandinavia beginning in Scandinavia beginning in the late eighth century.the late eighth century.

2.2. Because of the division of Because of the division of Europe after the death of Europe after the death of Charlemagne, Europeans Charlemagne, Europeans were poorly equipped to were poorly equipped to deal with these invaders.deal with these invaders.

3.3. They were known for their plunder and slaughterThey were known for their plunder and slaughtera)a) targeted the monasteries as they were known to be targeted the monasteries as they were known to be

the refuge of the old Empire’s wealththe refuge of the old Empire’s wealth4.4. Because of this, some of the great monasteries of Because of this, some of the great monasteries of

Europe were completely destroyed by the Vikings, Europe were completely destroyed by the Vikings, particularly in Ireland, England, and Germany, and would particularly in Ireland, England, and Germany, and would lead to the decline in influence of the monasteries until lead to the decline in influence of the monasteries until the reforms of Cluny.the reforms of Cluny.

Cluny Cluny & &

Monastic ReformMonastic Reform

1.1. 909-910909-910 - The Duke of - The Duke of Aquitaine, Aquitaine, William the William the Pious,Pious, a strong a strong supporter of reform, supporter of reform, donated land to donated land to St. St. BernoBerno and twelve and twelve companions, who were companions, who were dedicated to dedicated to reinvigorating the Rule reinvigorating the Rule of St. Benedict, wishing of St. Benedict, wishing to live it without outside to live it without outside influencesinfluences.

2.2. Rule of ClunyRule of Clunya)a) would vote for their would vote for their

abbot, unlike most abbot, unlike most monasteries of the monasteries of the time, where the local time, where the local rulers appointed the rulers appointed the abbot; abbot;

3.3. This led to saintly men This led to saintly men being elected abbots, so being elected abbots, so that soon the Cluny that soon the Cluny monasteries became monasteries became known as places of known as places of holiness.holiness.

4.4. St. OdoSt. Odo, successor to St. Berno, , successor to St. Berno, greatly expanded the influence greatly expanded the influence of Cluny beyond France into of Cluny beyond France into Italy.Italy.

5.5. Pope Blessed Urban II, a former Pope Blessed Urban II, a former monk of Cluny, and one of the monk of Cluny, and one of the best popes of the time, along best popes of the time, along with Pope Innocent II, greatly with Pope Innocent II, greatly supported the Cluniac supported the Cluniac monasteries. monasteries.

6.6. In In 1016 1016 by papal decree, Cluny by papal decree, Cluny was to be absolutely free from was to be absolutely free from ALL secular authority.ALL secular authority.

1.1. The monks of Cluny The monks of Cluny reinstituted a strict reinstituted a strict adherence to Benedictine adherence to Benedictine rule.rule.

2.2. Greater emphasis upon Greater emphasis upon the spiritual life of the the spiritual life of the individual monk with the individual monk with the idea of a community of idea of a community of holy men based upon the holy men based upon the holiness of each member.holiness of each member.

3.3. To accomplish this they increased time To accomplish this they increased time saying the divine office and decreased saying the divine office and decreased time in manual labor, leading to more time time in manual labor, leading to more time for spiritual reflection and active for spiritual reflection and active continuous prayer. continuous prayer.

4.4. They were able to accomplish this They were able to accomplish this because of the lack of interference from because of the lack of interference from secular rulers in the running of the secular rulers in the running of the monastery.monastery.

1.1. By 1100, 1,450 By 1100, 1,450 monasteries with over monasteries with over 10,000 monks were 10,000 monks were under the rule of Cluny.under the rule of Cluny.

2.2. Gradually, more and Gradually, more and more of the Church’s more of the Church’s leaders were taken from leaders were taken from the ranks of the monks of the ranks of the monks of Cluny, which would lead Cluny, which would lead to reform throughout the to reform throughout the Church.Church.

The Lay The Lay Investiture Investiture

ControversiesControversies

1.1. In 1059, a church council in Rome declared In 1059, a church council in Rome declared secular leaders would play no part in the election secular leaders would play no part in the election of popes and created the of popes and created the College of CardinalsCollege of Cardinals..

2.2. St. Pope Gregory VII (Hildebrand)- St. Pope Gregory VII (Hildebrand)- a monk of the a monk of the Cluny reform, was an important member of the Cluny reform, was an important member of the College of Cardinals, and carried out important College of Cardinals, and carried out important tasks for his predecessors.tasks for his predecessors.

3.3. When Pope Alexander II died in 1073, When Pope Alexander II died in 1073, the crowds enthusiastically cried out for the crowds enthusiastically cried out for Hildebrand to be the next pope.Hildebrand to be the next pope.

4.4. Gregory VII Gregory VII a)a) used the papal office for used the papal office for

reform in the church & reform in the church & centralizing the papal centralizing the papal officeoffice

b)b) Issued Issued Dictatus PapaeDictatus Papae,,i.i. the pope possessed the pope possessed

specific powers specific powers bestowed by God that bestowed by God that rested on him alone rested on him alone (see p. 317); (see p. 317); particularly forbidding particularly forbidding the ritual of lay the ritual of lay investiture.investiture.

c)c) levied stiff penalties for the practice of levied stiff penalties for the practice of simony as well as the violation of priestly simony as well as the violation of priestly celibacy.celibacy.

d)d) codified the law of the Church into codified the law of the Church into Canon Law, Canon Law, as an effective measure to as an effective measure to curb future abusecurb future abuse

5.5. Holy Roman Emperor, Henry IVHoly Roman Emperor, Henry IVa)a) defied Gregory’s decree, defied Gregory’s decree,

appointing the bishop of Milan; appointing the bishop of Milan; Gregory asked him to stop the Gregory asked him to stop the appointment but Henry appointment but Henry refused.refused.

6.6. Gregory excommunicated Henry.Gregory excommunicated Henry.a)a) released his subjects from his released his subjects from his

ruleruleb)b) Henry, not having popular Henry, not having popular

support at home, had to ask support at home, had to ask the pope for forgivenessthe pope for forgiveness..

7.7. Henry traveled to Canossa in Henry traveled to Canossa in Tuscany, Italy, waiting in the Tuscany, Italy, waiting in the snow for three days dressed in snow for three days dressed in peasant clothing, for a hearing peasant clothing, for a hearing from Gregory.from Gregory.

8.8. Gregory, skeptical of Henry’s Gregory, skeptical of Henry’s sincerity, finally absolved Henry sincerity, finally absolved Henry and lifted the excommunication.and lifted the excommunication.

9.9. This was a great victory for This was a great victory for Gregory, but short-lived, for a Gregory, but short-lived, for a year later, Henry rejected year later, Henry rejected Gregory’s authority, installing the Gregory’s authority, installing the anti-pope, Clement III.anti-pope, Clement III.

10.10. Gregory had to flee Henry’s army and died in Gregory had to flee Henry’s army and died in exile in southern Italy.exile in southern Italy.

11.11. Concordat of WormsConcordat of Wormsa)a) Gregory’s efforts eventually paid off with Gregory’s efforts eventually paid off with

great reforms being initiated, resulting in the great reforms being initiated, resulting in the Concordat of Worms (1122), Concordat of Worms (1122), which which recognized the rights of the Church in its recognized the rights of the Church in its appointmentsappointments..

1.1. Constitutions of Clarendon Constitutions of Clarendon (1164)(1164)a)a) Henry II, king of England, asserted his Henry II, king of England, asserted his

royal authority seeking complete royal authority seeking complete control over the Churchcontrol over the Church..

2.2. St. Thomas Becket St. Thomas Becket a)a) a great friend of the a great friend of the

kingkingb)b) chancellor of England.chancellor of England.

3.3. Henry arranged for him Henry arranged for him to be appointed to be appointed Archbishop of Archbishop of Canterbury in order for Canterbury in order for the king to control the the king to control the Church through him. Church through him.

4.4. After the Constitutions of After the Constitutions of Clarendon, Becket broke Clarendon, Becket broke with the king, opposing him with the king, opposing him on these rulings, and as a on these rulings, and as a result was murdered in the result was murdered in the cathedral by a band of cathedral by a band of Henry’s knights in 1170.Henry’s knights in 1170.

5.5. Becket was canonized two Becket was canonized two years later as a martyr of years later as a martyr of the Gregorian reforms; the Gregorian reforms; Henry II, disgraced, gave Henry II, disgraced, gave up his plans for church up his plans for church control.control.

1.1. Innocent IIIInnocent IIIa)a) continued the Gregorian reformscontinued the Gregorian reformsb)b) centralized the papacycentralized the papacyc)c) saw himself as arbitrator in Europe to saw himself as arbitrator in Europe to

maintain the balance of powermaintain the balance of powerd)d) intervened in all types of issues with the intervened in all types of issues with the

kings.kings.2.2. This involvement would help maintain the This involvement would help maintain the

freedom of the Church from kings, but freedom of the Church from kings, but would also increase tensions between would also increase tensions between the Church and state as Europe became the Church and state as Europe became nationalistic.nationalistic.

The Cistercians and The Cistercians and CarthusiansCarthusians

1.1. St. Robert of Molesmes, St. Robert of Molesmes, 1.1. Founded by a monk of Founded by a monk of

ClunyCluny in 1098in 10982.2. believed monasticism believed monasticism

needed to return to more needed to return to more simplicity, through a simplicity, through a poorer lifestyle and self-poorer lifestyle and self-sufficiency through sufficiency through monastic farming, rather monastic farming, rather than serfs working the than serfs working the farms for the monks. farms for the monks.

2.2. St. Bernard of Clairvaux St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1091-(1091-1153)1153)

a)a) joined the Cistercians bringing with joined the Cistercians bringing with him 30 others him 30 others

b)b) Refused all promotions to become Refused all promotions to become a bishop or even to the papacya bishop or even to the papacy

c)c) wrote extensively, counseling kings wrote extensively, counseling kings and popesand popes

d)d) founded a Cistercian monastery in founded a Cistercian monastery in ClairvauxClairvaux, making the Cistercian , making the Cistercian order important during the Middle order important during the Middle Ages.Ages.

3.3. These monks lived very differently than many These monks lived very differently than many monasteries of the time where wealth had monasteries of the time where wealth had softened their lives: the Cistercians ate little, softened their lives: the Cistercians ate little, worked the land during the day, and slept on worked the land during the day, and slept on planks of wood.planks of wood.

1.1. St. BrunoSt. Brunoa)a) originally a brilliant scholar, originally a brilliant scholar,

educating many future educating many future leaders and popes; he would leaders and popes; he would refuse the position of bishop refuse the position of bishop of Rheims, France, instead of Rheims, France, instead choosing in 1080 to leave choosing in 1080 to leave with 2 friends to live as with 2 friends to live as hermits in the French Alps.hermits in the French Alps.

2.2. Others gradually came to join Others gradually came to join him, forming a unique him, forming a unique monastery where each monk monastery where each monk had his own cell or hermitage had his own cell or hermitage attached to a cloister, bringing attached to a cloister, bringing together the life of the hermit together the life of the hermit with community life.with community life.

3.3. The life of the Carthusians The life of the Carthusians became an example to the became an example to the medieval church of the medieval church of the importance of simplicity and importance of simplicity and prayer in following Jesus Christ.prayer in following Jesus Christ.

4.4. The Carthusians still follow this The Carthusians still follow this style of life today.style of life today.