The Power of the Church

AKS

• 37b - describe the political impact of Christianity to include Pope Gregory VII and King Henry IV (Holy Roman Emperor)

• 37c - explain the role of the church in medieval society

Essential Question

• Whose house? The church’s house– Why?

• What was the deal with Pope Gregory VII and Henry IV?

First…let’s refresh

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

2. Before – we were in the beginning of the Middle Ages “Dark Ages” – why do you think it was called that?

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

4. What do you think became the most powerful institution?

• 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?

Structure of the Church• 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

Why was religion unifying?• Feudalism = divisions• Christianity = sense of security and

belonging – Sacraments – important religious

ceremonies paved the way for salvation

• 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?

• Hmmm…future conflicts because of this?

The Holy Roman Empire arises

• Wait – I thought the Roman Empire fell? – Well…

• Otto the Great – of Germany – was also crowned emperor by the pope– The German-Italian empire he created

became known as the Holy Roman Empire – Why do you think it got this name?

Ok…we’ve got trouble

• Before we get into this…let me explain what we are going to do afterwards

Emperor and Pope throw some ‘bows (the Investiture Conflict)1. Lay investiture – a ceremony in

which kings and nobles appointed church officials– Who do you think is not gonna like this

after awhile?

2. Pope Gregory VII banned lay investiture– Who do you think is not gonna like this?

“No he didn’t”

3. The German emperor, Henry IV, ordered Gregory to step down from the papacy

-with the approval of the bishops4. Gregory excommunicated Henry

-bishops now switch sides5. Henry tries to get forgiveness

-What do you think he does?

6. January 1077- Henry crossed the snowy Alps to visit Gregory and BEGGED!

-Is it “too late to apologize?”

7. Pope forgave him after three days, bare feet, waiting in the snow (Pope had to forgive him b/c of Church law)

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

9. 50 years later – a compromise was reached “Concordat of Worms”

-the Church alone could appoint a bishop, but the emperor could veto it

Now…Your HW/CW

• Your task is to write up a chat/IM transcript between Henry IV and Gregory VII.

• If they were living during the 21st century, what would they be saying back to each other?

• Keep your language clean!!!