Church Power in the Middle Ages World History - Libertyville HS

Church Hierarchy Pope Cardinals / College of Cardinals Bishops / Archbishops Priests Monks / Nuns

Church Authority Struggle for authority with noblemen – God created two swords, the pope and the king – Reality: Pope, kings conflicted over POWER (land) Struggle for authority with noblemen – God created two swords, the pope and the king – Reality: Pope, kings conflicted over POWER (land)

“Age of Faith” Church is supreme authority in all matters religious ALL could achieve salvation Sacraments – Ways that the church inserted itself into day to day events of life Church is supreme authority in all matters religious ALL 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) 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 – Only stone building (fire safety) Village church was center of community life – Not just for Sundays – Only stone building (fire safety)

Church Justice Canon Law – Legal system governing sacred matters (noble vs. church = hear in church crt) – Judges, etc all priests Excommunication – Officially kick someone out of church – Pope used it to assert authority over kings, nobles – King / noble denied salvation AND ability to hold onto lands Canon Law – Legal system governing sacred matters (noble vs. church = hear in church crt) – Judges, etc all priests Excommunication – Officially kick someone out of church – Pope used it to assert authority over kings, nobles – King / noble denied salvation AND ability to hold onto lands

Church Justice Interdiction – Sacraments denied for lord and the people – Major punishment – People who died under interdiction didn’t go to heaven! Interdiction – Sacraments denied for lord and the people – Major punishment – People who died under interdiction didn’t go to heaven!

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 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/ AD) was the founder of the dynasty – Charles “The Hammer” Martel (r ) Great military leader who defeated Muslims at Tours in 732 AD Pioneered use of heavy cavalry in Europe (the classic Knight) Important Kings of Carolingian Dynasty – Clovis (r/ AD) was the founder of the dynasty – Charles “The Hammer” Martel (r ) 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 ) – 6’4 when rest of Europe averaged 5’8 (diet) – 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 First HRE: Charlemagne (r ) – 6’4 when rest of Europe averaged 5’8 (diet) – 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 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 ) crowned king of Germany, 936 – Limited the powers of his nobles – Invaded Italy for Pope – Rewarded with HRE title in 962 – Otto demanded right of “investiture Power to appoint clergy Put clergy under control of Emperor! Strengthened power of Emperor Power to designate emperor passed from Pope to Electors (nobles of Germany) Otto the Great (r ) crowned king of Germany, 936 – Limited the powers of his nobles – Invaded Italy for Pope – Rewarded with HRE title in 962 – Otto demanded right of “investiture Power to appoint clergy Put clergy under control of Emperor! Strengthened power of Emperor Power to designate emperor passed from Pope to Electors (nobles of Germany)