1. The Power of the Church
Chapter 13, Section 4

2. Far-Reaching Authority of the Church
Introduction
Pope Gelasius I (served as pope from ) held a view of two powers in the world
“holy authority of bishops”
“royal power”
He held that in spiritual matters the state should bow to the pope, but in political matters the pope should give in to the state.
These ideas did not work out in reality. The church and the state struggled with each other for power throughout the middle ages.

3. Far-Reaching Authority of the Church
The Structure of the Church
Power within the Church is organized by status; the pope is the supreme authority
Clergy--religious officials—includes bishops, priests, nuns, and others
Bishops supervise priests and settle Church disputes

4. Far-Reaching Authority of the Church
Religion as a Unifying Force
Religion is important in the Middle Ages; shared beliefs bond people
Clergy administers the sacraments—rites to achieve salvation (a place in heaven)
Village church is a place of worship and celebration

5. Far-Reaching Authority of the Church
The Law of the Church
The Church has a system of justice to guide people’s conduct
All medieval Christians expected to obey canon law—Church law
Canon law governs marriages and religious practices
Popes have power over political leaders through threat of:
Excommunication—banishment from Church, denial of salvation
Interdiction—king’s subjects denied sacraments and services
Kings and emperors were expected to obey pope’s commands.

6. The Church and the Holy Roman Empire
Otto I Allies with the Church
Otto I (Otto the Great) is crowned king of Germany in 936
Limits strength of nobles with help of clergy
Gains support of bishops and abbots (heads of monasteries)
Invades Italy on pope’s behalf; pope crowns him emperor in 962

7. The Church and the Holy Roman Empire
Signs of Future Conflicts
Otto’s German-Italian lands become Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire is the strongest European power until about 1100

8. The Emperor Clashes with the Pope
Emperor Henry IV and Pope Gregory VII
Pope Gregory VII bans lay investiture—kings appointing Church officials
Henry IV orders pope to resign; Gregory VII excommunicates Henry
Showdown at Conossa
Henry goes to Canossa, Italy, to beg Gregory forgiveness (see primary source last slide)
Gregory forgives Henry, buy lay investiture problem is not solved

9. The Emperor Clashes with the Pope
Concordat of Worms
Concordat of Worms is 1122 compromise in Worms, Germany
Compromise: pope appoints bishops, emperor can veto appointment

10. This is an illustration of the concept of “lay investiture.”
In this picture a king from the Middle Ages is handing a bishop his “shepherd’s crook” a symbol of the office of bishop.
The Catholic Church insisted that bishops were chosen by the Pope, not by kings.

11. Disorder in the Empire The Reign of Frederick I
In 1152, Frederick I becomes king; dominates German princes
Disorder breaks out whenever he leaves Germany
Frederick invades Italy, meets defeat at Legnano in 1176
Empire collapses after Frederick’s death in 1190

12. Disorder in the Empire German State’s Remain Separate
German kings after Frederick try to revive empire
German princes, who elect kings, prefer to keep them weak

13. Primary Source
“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 of the apostolic mercy until he had moved all of those who were present there.”
POPE GREGORY, in Basic Documents in Medieval History