Church Power in the Middle Ages

Church Power in the Middle Ages

World History - Libertyville HS

“Christendom”• There were no states or

governments for several centuries

• People stopped thinking of themselves as “citizens”– Became “subjects” of a

local warlord– Europeans identified

themselves as Christians, first

– Thus, Europe = “Christendom”

Church HierarchyPope

Cardinals / College of Cardinals

Bishops / Archbishops

Priests

Monks / Nuns

Church Authority• Struggle for

authority against noblemen– Church taught that

God created two swords to protect Christendom: the Pope and the king

– Reality: Pope, kings conflicted over POWER (authority of each, over land)

“Age of Faith”• Church was

supreme authority in all matters religious

• ALL people could achieve salvation

• Sacraments– Ways that the

church inserted itself into day to day events of life

Sacraments• Baptism (birth of child)• Confirmation

(becoming adult in church’s eyes)

• Holy Orders (becoming a priest)

• Marriage vows (church affirmed marriage)

• Last rites (final blessing in life)

“Age of Faith”

• Village church was center of community life– Not just for Sundays– Ex: only stone

building in community (fire safety)

Church Authority• Canon Law

– Church legal system– Asserted jurisdiction (control)

over all matters remotely religious, vs. a King’s Justice system

• Powers of Pope vs. Kings, etc.– Excommunication:

• Throw person out of church• Individual punishment• Nobles lose right to rule

– Interdiction• Ban on priests giving sacraments

to people• Group punishment• Often resulted in revolts (Why?)

Holy Roman Empire• What was it?– Creation of the church– Powerful symbol

linking past to present– Reflection of the power

of the Catholic church, because the Pope crowned a king, emperor

• First HRE = Carolingian dynasty– Frankish settlers from

Rhine River Valley

Holy Roman Empire• Important Kings of

Carolingian Dynasty– Clovis (r/ 486-511 AD)

was the founder of the dynasty

– Charles “The Hammer” Martel (r. 719-741)• Great military leader

who defeated Muslims at Tours in 732 AD

• Pioneered use of heavy cavalry in Europe (the classic Knight)

Holy Roman Empire• First HRE: Charlemagne

(r. 768-814)– 6’4 when rest of Europe

averaged 5’8– Great conqueror of

Europe• Controlled 2/3 of Italy, all of

France, some of Spain, all of Germany

– Financial basis of Charlemagne’s empire was trade• Franks, Muslims• Ironic, since Franks,

Muslims fought each other

Holy Roman Empire• Charlemagne crowned

Emperor by Pope on Christmas Day, 800– Attempted to protect

weak from the strong– Required bishops to

educate everyone with promise

– Sponsored the arts, literature

– When he died, his empire was quickly dismantled

– HRE title lay unclaimed for 40 years

HRE moves East• Otto the Great (r. 936-973)

crowned king of Germany, 936– Limited the powers of his nobles– Invaded Italy at request of Pope– Rewarded with HRE title in 962– Otto demanded right of

“investiture”: Power to appoint priests, bishops, etc in HR Empire• Put clergy under control of Emperor!• Strengthened power of Emperor• Power to designate emperor passed

from Pope to Electors (most powerful nobles of Germany)