The Power of the Church

The Power of the Church EQ: How did the Christian Church utilize human ingenuity to transform the politics of Western/Feudal Europe?

AKS • 37b • What was the political impact of Christianity in the early Middle Ages? • How did Pope Gregory VII and King Henry IV (Holy Roman Emperor) influence Christianity and government? • 37c • What was the role of the church in medieval society?

First…let’s refresh…QUICK WRITES! • What is the time period we are studying called? • Before – we were in the beginning of the Middle Ages  “Dark Ages” • Why was it called that? • Were there any central governments in feudal Europe? Why or why not? • 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 DOWNor 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

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 hadto 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… • Your task is to write up a 140 character tweet conversation between Henry IV and Gregory VII. • @Miss_Ventre: One Tweet for Henry IV & One Tweet for Gregory VII • #Myhouse

Yay Dane Cook!

The Power of the Church