Power of the Church in Medieval Europe

Pope-head of the Catholic Church Pope Gregory VII Henry IV Bans lay investiture – kings and nobles appoint church officials. Excommunicates Henry IV for trying to overrule him Shows church’s power Begs for pope’s forgiveness while standing in the snow for 3 days Is forgiven but ultimately humbled

The Church Clergy members- cardinals, bishops, priests Church’s power 1. Religious Canon Law – body of laws governing religious practice such as marriage 2. Political Could excommunicate, or banish, a King from the church

The Crusades Crusades – Series of Christian wars waged against the Muslims to regain the “Holy Land” (Palestine) Major Goals Recapture the holy land Reunite Christianity Pope Urban II - Those who died during Crusades would go to heaven

Effects of the Crusades 9 Crusades– over 200 years First two Crusades successful Later Crusades failed Children’s crusade! Major effects 1. Illustrated the power of the church 2. Expanded trade between Europe and Asia 3. Lessened the power of the Pope 4. Strengthened the power of the king 5. Hatred-Muslims and Christians