8.2: Holy Roman Empire & The Church

Otto I Becomes Emperor Worked closely with the Church Appointed bishops to jobs in government Became emperor for helping pope put down a rebellion in 962 “Holy” = because he was appointed by the pope “Roman” = heirs to emperors of ancient Rome

Struggling for Control 2 Sources of Conflict: Vassals actually controlled much of the land claimed by Emperors –Hundreds of nobles and Church officials –If you control the vassals = you control the empire Appointment of Church Officials= –Had to oppose the power of the popes –Popes did not want interference within the Church by government

Feud Between Pope and Emperor Henry VI vs. Pope Gregory VII: –Gregory = wanted to make the Church independent of secular rulers banned lay investiture = allowed only the pope to appoint bishops in office –Henry VI Responds = argued that bishops held land as royal fiefs As their overlord he should appoint bishops Many German princes undermined Henry by supporting the pope. –1076 =Gregory excommunicate Henry VI Gregory apologizes to pope as a peasant sinner Returns to Germany to subdue his nobles Later lead an army to Rome to force the pope into exile

The Concordat of Worms 1112: Treaty known as Concordat of Worms = –Church had authority to elect and invest bishops with spiritual authority –Emperor retained right to invest them with fiefs

The Struggle for Italy Frederick Barbarossa (“Red Beard”) –Wanted empire from the Baltic to the Adriatic Failed to conquer cities of Northern Italy who allied with the pope –Arranged a marriage between his son, Henry and Constance, heiress to the throne of Sicily Prompted Frederick II of Germany to try and conquer Italy but failed

Effects on Germany and Italy German nobles grew more independent while Frederick II was in Italy –Germany would not become a nation for another 600 years Southern Italy & Sicily faced rebellion against French rule

Papal Supremacy 1200’s = Reformist popes claimed the right to depose Kings and Emperors 1198 = Pope Innocent III –Claimed supremacy over all rulers –1209 = launched a crusade against Albigensians in France for rejecting Catholicism Tens of thousands died