Aim: How did the Catholic Church become the most powerful and unifying force in Medieval Europe? Google images Church at Fulda, Germany

The Age of Faith Why do you think that the Middle Ages in Europe is also known as the Age of Faith?

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The Hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church

The Struggle for Power vs. Whose reign should be supreme?

The Investiture Controversy The focus of this controversy was lay investiture- a process in which kings and nobles appointed church officials. The end result was that the political leader could control powerful clergy. The Church opposed this, feeling that bishops should not be controlled by a king. In 1075 Pope Gregory VII banned lay investiture.

Things Heat Up! “Henry, king not by usurpation, but by the holy ordination of God, to Hildebrand, not pope, but false monk…I, Henry, king by the grace of God, with all my bishops, say unto you: ‘Come down, come down [from the papal throne], and be accursed through all the ages.” -Letter by Henry IV to Pope Gregory VII City Curriculum

Gregory excommunicated Henry Gregory excommunicated Henry. After this, the German bishops and princes sided with the pope. In an effort to save his throne, Henry tried to win the pope’s forgiveness. How was excommunication a powerful weapon of the Roman Catholic Church?

Showdown at Canossa, Italy “There, having laid aside all the belongings of royalty, wretchedly, with bare feet and clad in wool, he [Henry IV] continued for three days to stand before the gate of the castle. Nor did he desist from imploring with many tears the aid and consolation on the apostolic mercy until he had moved all of those who were present there…” Pope Gregory, cited in Basic Documents in Medieval History

Nothing Solved, Drama Aside After three days of standing in the snow in Canossa, Pope Gregory VII forgave Henry IV. Henry returned home, humiliated. The question of lay investiture remained undecided. Even at the Concordat of Worms (Germany) in 1122 did not help because even though the Church alone could appoint a bishop, the emperor had the power of veto (and could prevent the appointment).

Medieval Sourcebook: Gregory VII: Dictatus Papae 1090 (Excerpts) That the Roman church was founded by God alone. That the Roman pontiff alone can with right be called universal. That he alone can depose or reinstate bishops. That, in a council his legate, even if a lower grade, is above all bishops, and can pass sentence of deposition against them. That the pope may depose the absent. That, among other things, we ought not to remain in the same house with those excommunicated by him. That for him alone is it lawful, according to the needs of the time, to make new laws, to assemble together new congregations, to make an abbey of a canonry; and, on the other hand, to divide a rich bishopric and unite the poor ones. That of the pope alone all princes shall kiss the feet. That his name alone shall be spoken in the churches. That this is the only name in the world. That it may be permitted to him to depose emperors. That he may be permitted to transfer bishops if need be. Fordham.edu

Excerpt of a letter from Pope Innocent III (1198) “The Creator set up two great lights in the heavens; the greater light to rule the day the lesser light to rule the night. In the same way, the Church has set up two great lights on earth; the greater light, being the Pope, to rule over souls; the lesser light, being the king, to rule over bodies. Just as the moon’s light comes from the sun, does the power of the king come from the Pope. The more closely a king is willing to follow the Pope’s rule, the greater his light will be.” NYC Curriculum

An Age of Faith and Superstition Faith in the Roman Catholic Church did not erase superstitions in Medieval Europe. Below were some common superstitions: An evil witch could exchange a healthy child for a sickly one (the “changling” was the substitute) Preparing a table with three knives pleased good fairies A person could change into the shape of a wolf The croak of a raven would bring bad luck Meeting a priest would bring good luck Patterns of Interaction

Do you think we should have another Age of Faith? Why or why not?