The Holy Roman Empire and the Church Section 8-2 pp

Preview Questions Why did Holy Roman emperors fail to build a unified state in Germany? How did power struggles and rivalry in Italy affect popes and emperors? What powers did the Church have at its height?

The Holy Roman Empire In 962, Duke Otto of Saxony became the first Holy Roman Emperor – Holy: Crowned by pope – Roman: Saw selves as successors to Roman Empire

The Holy Roman Empire Emperors struggled to control their vassals due to the sheer size of the Empire. German emperors resented the Cluny Reforms – Ended practice of emperors choosing clergy

Conflict Between Popes and Emperors Pope Gregory VII – Admired and hated by his people – Ended practice of lay investiture Lay person presents bishops with symbols of their office Gregory argued that only popes held this power

Conflict Between Popes and Emperors Emperor Henry IV – Holy Roman Emperor during time of Pope Gregory – Supports lay investiture Since bishops were vassals, the emperor reserved the right to invest them with the symbols of their office – German princes support Pope Gregory to weaken Henry’s power over them

Conflict Between Popes and Emperors The Struggle Intensifies – Gregory excommunicates Henry Creates chaos among power hungry nobles of Holy Roman Empire – Henry forced to seek forgiveness from the pope – Later, Henry uses his army to force Gregory into exile

Conflict Between Popes and Emperors The Concordat of Worms (1122) – Treaty stating the Church has the sole power to invest bishops with spiritual authority – The Holy Roman Emperor retains the right to invest them with fiefs

The Struggle for Italy Frederick Barbarossa – Holy Roman Emperor who dreamed of capturing wealthy northern Italy. – Northern Italian cities successfully resisted capture by forming Lombard League with pope – Frederick’s son Henry marries princess of Sicily, creating an alliance between HRE and Italy.

The Struggle for Italy Frederick II – Clashes repeatedly with several popes – Tried, but failed to capture northern Italy Effects on Germany and Italy – Germany becomes very fragmented – French attempt to conquer Southern Italy

The Height of Church Power Pope Innocent III – Symbolizes absolute power of the Church – Clashed with rulers, but usually victorious John of England received interdict Philip II of France received interdict Frederick II lost power – Led a Crusade against the Albigensians in France