The Power of the Church

EQ: How did the Christian Church utilize human ingenuity to transform the

politics of Western/Feudal Europe?

YESTERDAY…..We talked about the Crusades, and what they meant to the feudal system & the Catholic Church.

BUT…. We need to backtrack. How can the Pope have so much power, that the people will just listen to him when he calls for 8 Crusades?!

That’s what these notes explain…

Let’s refresh…Write down & answer these questions!

1. What is the time period we are studying called?

2. Before – we were in the beginning of the Middle Ages “Dark Ages” • Why was it called that?

3. Were there any central governments in feudal Europe? Why or why not?

4. What became the most powerful institution in feudal Europe?

• In the U.S. government – do church and “state” work together? – Are there any laws against it?

• What problems can you foresee if the church and state work together?

• During the Middle Ages, who was the leader of the religious world? What about political?

NOTES TIPS

• RED = You should probably WRITE it DOWN or paraphrase it!

• GREEN = useful but not necessary

How was the Church structured?• Church also had a structure or

“hierarchy”• Who was at the top?– Pope

• Who was under the pope?– Clergy – Body of officials who perform

religious services• Bishops• Priests – lowest ranking members

of the clergy

Notes Suggestion: use a hierarchical

pyramid to describe the

church hierarchy

Why was religion unifying?• Feudalism = divisions

• Christianity = sense of security and belonging – Sacraments – important religious

ceremonies paved the way for salvation • Like what? Baptism and communion

• Also created a system of justiceto guide conduct– Canon law – “Church law” – established

courts to convict people

Oh the Church is gonna be tough, are they??

• What kinds of punishments do you think they would give?– Excommunication- banishment from the

Church• How do you think this would take power

from political leaders?– Interdict – More serious!• Many sacraments and religious services

could not be performed in the king’s lands– “doomed to hell” without these

Quick recap• Charlemagne was

crowned what? – By who? – A.D. 800

• Hmmm…could there be future conflicts because of this?

What is the Holy Roman Empire, and how did it arise?

• Wait – Didn’t the Roman Empire fall? –Well…

• Otto the Great – of Germany (East Frankish Kingdom) – was also crowned emperor by the pope (A.D. 962)– The German-Italian empire he created

became known as the Holy Roman Empire

–Why do you think it got this name?

Treaty of Verdun

The Holy Roman Empire is established AFTER Charlemagne’s empire falls

So…• What conflict developed between the Pope

and the Holy Roman Emperor?

Emperor and Pope throw some ‘bows (the Investiture Conflict)• Lay investiture – a ceremony in which

kings and nobles appointed church officials–Why would they want this power, and

who do you think is not gonna like this?• Pope Gregory VII (new Gregory)

banned lay investiture–Who’s not gonna like this?

“OMG, no he DIDN’T…”• The German emperor, Henry IV, ordered

Gregory to step down from the papacy– with the approval of the bishops

• Gregory excommunicated Henry (A.D. 1076)– bishops now switch sides…why?

• Henry tries to get forgiveness– Why such a break in his pride?– What do you think he does? How’s he gonna

do this?

WHAT IS THE PAPACY?What is

excommunication?

• January 1077- Henry crossed the snowy Alps to visit Gregory and BEGGED for forgiveness! – Is it “too late to apologize?”

• Pope forgave him after he waited three days (barefoot) in the snow (Pope had to forgive him b/c of Church law)

• Henry was just being politically shrewd…’cuz shortly after he was forgiven, he got rid of Gregory VII.

• 50 years later – a compromise was reached “Concordat of Worms” – the Church alone could appoint a bishop, but the

emperor could veto it

Henry IV begging for forgiveness

Now…• The calling of the Crusades makes sense

due to the increased power & slight corruption of the Catholic Church!

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