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” 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 Hierarchy Pope 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) 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 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) 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) 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?) 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?)

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 – 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 – 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 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) Otto the Great (r ) 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)