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Outcome: The power of the Church

The Middle Ages. Outcome: The power of the Church. The Power of the Church. Christianity in the early Middle Ages By 600 , Christianity had spread to many Germanic peoples Missionaries risked their lives to spread Christianity

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Outcome: The power of the Church

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  1. The Middle Ages Outcome: The power of the Church

  2. The Power of the Church • Christianity in the early Middle Ages • By 600, Christianity had spread to many Germanic peoples • Missionaries risked their lives to spread Christianity • Attacks by Muslims spurred people to convert to Christianity • The Christian Church became more secular, or worldly---> Involved in politics • Pope Gregory I used church revenues to raise armies, repair roads, and help the poor

  3. The Power of the Church • Monasteries • Religious communities for men. Men were called monks • Gave up possessions and devoted a life to serving God • Women, or nuns, lived in convents • St. Benedict wrote a book setting a practical set of rules for monasteries • Best place for an education

  4. The Power of the Church • Far-Reaching Authority of the Church • The Church sought to influence spiritual and political matters when it crowned Charlemagne Roman Emperor in 800 • Pope Gelasius I suggested that God had created two swords: • One sword was religious ----> held by pope • One sword was political ----> held by the emperor • Pope bows to emperor in political matters • Emperor bows to pope in spiritual matters • If each kept authority in own realm, the two could live in harmony

  5. The Power of the Church • Structure of the Church • Different ranks of clergy, or religious officials • Pope was head of Church • All clergy, including bishops and priests fell under pope’s authority • For most people, local priests served as the main contact with the Church

  6. The Power of the Church • Religion as a Unifying Force • Feudalism created division but Church teachings bonded them together • Provided people with a sense of security and of belonging to a religious community • Priests and other clergy administered sacraments (religious ceremonies) • All were subject to canon law, or Church Law • This included matters such as marriage or religious practices because the Church was both religious and political

  7. The Power of the Church • The Emperor Clashes with the Pope • When Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne emperor in 800, he unknowingly set up future conflict • Otto the Great crowned king of the Holy Roman Empire in 936 • Church unhappy with Otto’s use of lay investiture, ceremony where kings and nobles appointed church officials • Popes would threaten with excommunication, or banishment from the Church • Future kings would attempt to exert power over the papacy (pope) • These attempts would weaken German provinces in Europe and weaken royal authority

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