The Medieval Church

SSWH 7b. Describe the political impact of Christianity; include Pope Gregory VII and King Henry IV of Germany (Holy Roman Emperor).

c. Explain the role of the church in medieval society.

The Role of the Church

The church was able to survive during the Middle Ages because of: Alliances with France

Monasteries (religious communities of people who devoted their lives to God; located in remote countryside)

Secular power (more focus on worldly & political matters)

Religious Authority

Political Authority

Salvation –promise of life after death

Sacraments – religious ceremonies (like baptism & marriage) that provided salvation

The Village Church –center of Medieval religious & social life

Canon Law – laws & courts established by the church

Punishments:

Excommunication – banishment from church (denial of salvation & freeing of vassals under your power)

Interdict – prohibition (forbidding) of sacraments in your land

The Power of the Church

Church alliance with France

Clovis Converted to Christianity Allied with the church and united France

Pepin the Short

Pope named him “King by the grace of god.” This was the first time that the church officially gave power to a king.

Charlemagne

Spread Christianity through Europe & named “Holy Roman Emperor” by the Pope in 800 – joining of Germanic power, the Church, & Roman heritage

Conflicts between Religion and Politics

Traditionally, the Emperor would allow the Pope to handle religious matters.

The Pope, in turn, would leave political matters to the Emperor.

However, as the church began to expand it’s power, conflicts arose.

In particular, one major conflict arose over the issue of lay investiture, or the power of kings to appoint important church officials.

TIMELINE OF KEY EVENTS

Political Impact of Christianity

800 AD

In 800 AD, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne Emperor. This was one of the first times a pope had exercised the political right of naming an Emperor.

Charlemagne’s Empire spreads Christianity

936 AD

In 936, Otto the Great was crowned emperor, continuing the practice.

Holy Roman Empire that was created by Otto the Great’s alliance with the church became the strongest state in Europe.

Holy Roman Empire

1075 AD

In 1075, Pope Gregory VII banned the practice of lay investiture. Emperors could no longer appoint important church officials.

The banning of lay investiture made German Emperor Henry IV furious with the church.

1075 AD

King Henry IV called a meeting of all important church officials in his empire and called on Pope Gregory to step down.

As a result, Pope Gregory VII excommunicated Henry.

1077 AD

Henry IV traveled to the pope’s Italian residence and stood outside in the snow for 3 days begging forgiveness.

Finally, the pope forgave him.

1122 AD In 1122, an agreement was signed between the church and the emperor. This agreement was called the Concordant of Worms.

It stated that only the pope could appoint bishops, but that the king could refuse to approve these appointments.

The Crusades

1095 - 1291, the church engaged in a series of holy wars, known as the Crusades.

Goals:

Political – reclaim territory conquered by Muslim Empire (especially Jerusalem – the Holy Land)

Economic –merchants profited by loaning money for the journey; people wanted access to Muslim trade routes

Social – promise of salvation & glory

The Crusades

Impact of the Crusades

Women – opportunities to manage estates, shops, & inns

Merchants (European & Muslim) – benefitted from trade (spices, fruit, cloth)

Pope – failure of the Crusades weakened his power

Kings – increased their power

Muslims – legacy of bitterness & hatred