1. The Power of the Church and its Reform

2. Kings but no real leaders – CHURCH emerged as a powerful institution, much involvement in political affairs
Middle Ages – time of power struggles between popes and kings

3. Role of the Church
Christianity became main religion of Roman empire by 4th century
Roman church developed a system of organization
Priests was head of parishes – local communities
Bishop was head of diocese - a group of parishes
Archbishop – head of groups of diocese
Bishop of Rome became known as Pope – the head of what is now known as the Roman Catholic Church

4. POPE vs. KING
To win in disagreements, Pope threatened excommunication – no salvation
Smart kings ally with Pope

5. Christianity – Why Popular?
Embraced all people – men, women, poor, nobles – bonded people together
Gave hope to powerless, promised eternal life after death for all
Provided stability among warfare and turmoil
Established schools, provided shelter, took care of ill and needy
Middle Ages becomes known as the Age of Faith

6. Problems and Reforms Problems in Church: Reforms:
church officials are rich and corrupt
priests illiterate
Pope’s questionable morals
priests had families
sold church positions
Reforms:
Monks try to restore purity of church
Inquisition – church court who sought out and punished heretics
No need for proof, used torture

7. CRUSADES
Comes from the Latin word “crux” meaning “cross” – those who fought were called crusaders because they vowed to “take up the cross”
Military expeditions by European Christians to regain the Holy Land – Jerusalem

8. Goals of the Crusades Christians want to regain Palestine (Holy Land)
Reunite Christendom
Send quarrelsome knights off to war
Why go?
Land
Power
Forgiveness of sins
Adventure
Expand markets
Temporary release from peasantry

9. First Crusade 3 armies traveled separately from W. Europe
Ill-prepared for war, no strategy for capturing Jerusalem
Many killed Jews along the way
Met in Constantinople in 1097 – made way to Jerusalem
1099 – Jerusalem fell to Crusaders after 2 months
Only Crusade that Christians won

11. Second Crusade (1147-1149) Muslims reconquered Holy Land
Second Crusade to recapture fallen cities
Christians unsuccessful due to fighting leaders

12. Third Crusade
Muslim leader Saladin united forces & captured Jerusalem 1187
“Crusade of Kings” – Philip II of France, Frederick I of Germany, Richard the Lion-Hearted of England
Only Richard made it
Defeated Muslims in several battles, but couldn't’t win over Saladin’s well-trained and dedicated forces
Signed a truce – Muslims kept control of Jerusalem but allowed Christians to visit holy sites

14. EFFECTS
Other Crusades unsuccessful in winning permanent Christian control of Palestine
Failure of Crusades lessened power of Pope
Lords funded Crusades through loans, couldn’t pay off loans, had to forfeit fiefs, serfs/peasants gave money to be free
Feudalism declined, Power of kings increased
Contact b/w Crusaders and other civilizations = broadened world view & curiosity

15. EFFECTS Increased trade – prosperous towns
Contact with East – demand for luxury goods – spices, sugar, silk, tapestries
Improved technology – better built ships, more accurate maps, magnetic compass, new military skills, siege techniques, improved weaponry
Muslims remembered the intolerance and prejudice displayed by Christians – led to bitterness and hatred

16. Why did Crusades end?
People started to lose interest after all of the failures
They were curious about other areas of the world = Exploration
Church lost respect