Reform in the West and the Cult of the Saints Week 2, Lecture 3

Byzantine Christianity Wrap-Up Expansion and differentation from Latin Christianity –Formally accepted icon veneration –Formally rejected the Filioque –Missionizing efforts to Slavic peoples First schism, In 10 th century, powerful patriarchs replaced by weak ones –Photius, Ignatius, Nicholas Mystikos Who is more Roman? We are, of course! –Latins: No, you’re just a bunch of Greeks! –Byzantines: No, you’re just a bunch of barbarians!

Reform in the West and the Cult of the Saints What did the Cluniacs see as the main issues requiring church reform? What problems did the Peace of God movement attempt to control? How successful were these movements? What do historians mean by the phrase “cult of the saints”? How did popular belief in saints help to enforce the Peace of God?

1087 CE

West Francia  France (more or less) Normandy was the strongest northern duchy Conversion of Rollo, 911 Duke William I (William the Bastard, William the Conqueror) (r ) Hugh Capet, “Rex Francorum” r –Capetian Dynasty

England Alfred the Great (r ), King of Wessex: a unifying force –Putting in place a system of local gov’t that reports to the king King Cnut (r ) King Edward the Confessor (Cnut’s stepson) (r ) Norman Conquest

Holy Roman Empire (Germany) Review Otto I (r ; emperor 962 onwards) Ruled from Aachen Basis of power: alliance with and control over the Church

Revival and Reform in the Christian Church Starts at the monastic level Collapse of Carolingian rule disastrous for monasteries Problem: domination by lay lords –Lay abbots –Vassal status –Obligation to provide justice

Cluny (est. 909) Endowed by William the Pious, Duke of Aquitaine Only authorities: Saints Peter and Paul Long-ruling abbots, very stable Taking a stand on the issues of the day: reform position on clerical celibacy and simony Hundreds of “daughter houses”

Other Reforming Houses Gorze (Germany): monastic reform with royal support –A network, not a hierarchy as in Cluny –Less elaborate Cistercian Order (est. 1098, Citeaux, France) –Reaction to Cluniac monasticism –DRASTICALLY less elaborate

Reform of the Papacy Problems: –Papacy affected by Roman political factions Example: John XII, who crowned Otto I –Clerical celibacy... Not happening –Simony Ideal papal vision of the world: lords and kings accept spiritual guidance of priests and bishops, who in turn are guided by the Pope. –This does not exactly resemble reality!

Reform of the Papacy, cont. Conflict between “church and state”? Holy Roman Emperor Henry III (r ) marches into Rome, 1046 –Pope A: Benedict IX –Pope B: Gregory VI –Pope C: Sylvester III Era of Reform Popes Begins Leo IX (r )

Papacy of Leo IX Traveled far and wide holding reform synods Asserted primacy of Rome Captured by Normans, Great Schism Between Latin (Catholic) and Greek (Orthodox) Churches –Patriarch Michael Cerularius –Humbert of Silva

Reform of Papal Elections Nicholas II (r ) College of Cardinals Emperor’s role is reduced to approving the papal candidate

Peace of God (Pax Dei) Goal: protection of the Church from external threats of violence. Later extended to other vulnerable groups – millennium anniversary of the Crucifixion. Festivals promote peace. Truce of God (Treuga Dei) goes further, attempting to limit violence between Christians

Cult of the Saints

Cult of the Saints, Cont. Peter Brown: Heaven and Earth joining at the grave of a dead human being “The city has changed address.” Martyrs Holy men and women; ascetics Genre of literature: hagiography Transfer of saints’ relics: translatio

Ste. Foy of Conques “Virgin and Martyr” Image: Reliquary of Ste. Foy, 11 th -12 th cent. Head is Roman (fourth century?); gems and cameos added by visitors. Furta sancta: sacred theft Agen to Conques “Miracles of Ste. Foy” written by Bernard of Angers (c ) Sacred jokes