The Power of the Church

The Power of the Church Chapter 13, Section 4

Far-Reaching Authority of the Church • Introduction • Pope Gelasius I (served as pope from 492-496) held a view of two powers in the world • “holy authority of bishops” (auctoritassacratapontificum) • “royal power” (regalispotestas) • He held that in spiritual matters the state should bow to the pope, but in political matters the pope to give in to the state. • These ideas did not work out in reality. The church and the state struggled with each other for power throughout the middle ages.

Far-Reaching Authority of the Church • The Structure of the Church • Power within the Church is organized by status; the pope is the supreme authority • Clergy--religious officials—includes bishops, priests, and others • Bishops supervise priests and settle Church disputes

Far-Reaching Authority of the Church • Religion as a Unifying Force • Religion is important in the Middle Ages; shared beliefs bond people • Clergy administers the sacraments—rites to achieve salvation • Village church is a place of worship and celebration

Sacraments in Western Christianity

Far-Reaching Authority of the Church • The Law of the Church • The Church has a system of justice to guide people’s conduct • All medieval Christians expected to obey canon law—Church law • Canon law governs marriages and religious practices • Popes have power over political leaders through threat of: • Excommunication—banishment from Church, denial of salvation • Interdiction—king’s subjects denied sacraments and services • Kings and emperors were expected to obey pope’s commands.

The Church and the Holy Roman Empire • Otto I Allies with the Church • Otto I (Otto the Great) is crowned king of Germany in 936 • Limits strength of nobles with help of clergy • Gains support of bishops and abbots (heads of monasteries) • Invades Italy on pope’s behalf; pope crowns him emperor in 962

The Church and the Holy Roman Empire • Signs of Future Conflicts • Otto’s German-Italian lands become Holy Roman Empire • Holy Roman Empire is the strongest European power until about 1100

The Emperor Clashes with the Pope • Emperor Henry IV and Pope Gregory VII • Pope Gregory VII bans lay investiture—kings appointing Church officials • Henry IV orders pope to resign; Gregory VII excommunicates Henry • Showdown at Conossa • Henry goes to Canossa, Italy, to beg Gregory forgiveness (see primary source) • Gregory forgives Henry, buy lay investiture problem is not solved

The Emperor Clashes with the Pope • Concordat of Worms • Concordat of Worms is 1122 compromise win Worms, Germany • Compromise: pope appoints bishops, emperor can veto appointment

This is an illustration of the concept of “lay investiture.” In this picture a king from the Middle Ages is handing a bishop his “shepherd’s crook” a symbol of the office of bishop. The Catholic Church insisted that bishops were chosen by the Pope, not by kings.

Disorder in the Empire • The Reign of Frederick I • In 1152, Frederick I becomes king; dominates German princes • Disorder breaks out whenever he leaves Germany • Frederick invades Italy, meets defeat at Legnano in 1176 • Empire collapses after Frederick’s death in 1190

Disorder in the Empire • German State’s Remain Separate • German kings after Frederick try to revive empire • German princes, who elect kings, prefer to keep them weak

Primary Source • “There, having laid aside all the belongings of royalty, wretchedly, with bare feet and clad in wool, he [Henry IV] continued for three days to stand before the gate of the castle. Nor did he desist from imploring with many tears the aid and consolation of the apostolic mercy until he had moved all of those who were present there.” POPE GREGORY, in Basic Documents in Medieval History

The Power of the Church