The Middle Ages

1. The Middle Ages Outcome: Church leaders and political leaders competed for power and authority The Power of the Church

2. The Power of the Church • The far- reaching authority of the Church • Pope Gelasius I recognized two great forces; The Church and the State • The Church; was supreme in religious authority • The state; was supreme in political authority • The Structure of the Church; power was based on status. • The Pope headed the Church • The clergy; bishops and priests fell under his authority • Bishops; supervised priests, settled disputes over church teachings • Priests; served as the main contact for the church

3. The Power of the Church • Religion as a Unifying Force • Feudalism created divisions among people, but the Church served to bond people together • The Church occupied center stage during the Middle Ages • Sacraments unified members of the Church • The village Church was the local unifying force

4. The Power of the Church • The Law of the Church • Created a system of justice to guide peoples actions • All medieval Christians were subject to canon law • Popes used the power of excommunication as a threat against uncooperative political leaders; this gave the pope greater power • The interdict; many sacraments and religious services could not be performed in the king’s land

5. The Power of the Church • The Church and the Holy Roman Empire • Otto the Great crowned king in 936 • Adhered to the policies of Charlemagne • Dominated the church in Germany • Invaded Italy on behalf of the pope • In 962, the pope crowned Otto Emperor • Signs of Future Conflicts • The Holy Roman Empire; remained the strongest state in Europe until 1100 • Popes and Italian nobles resented German power over Italy

6. The Power of the Church • The Emperor Clashes with the Pope • Lay investiture; emperors had the power to appoint Church officials • Gave emperors tremendous power within the Church • 1075; Pope Gregory VII banned lay investiture • German Emperor, Henry IV, called a meeting of the bishops to order Pope Gregory VII to step down • Pope Gregory VII then excommunicated Henry IV

7. The Power of the Church • Showdown at Canossa • Henry IV goes to the Italian town of Canossa to beg for Pope Gregory’s forgiveness • Waited in the snow for three days before the Pope forgave him • Concordat of Worms • Dispute over lay investiture continued until 1122 • Representatives of the Church and emperor met in Worms, Germany; they reached a compromise allowing for absolute papal authority except the emperor could veto appointments • Showdown at Canossa • Henry IV goes to the Italian town of Canossa to beg for Pope Gregory’s forgiveness • Waited in the snow for three days before the Pope forgave him • Concordat of Worms • Dispute over lay investiture continued until 1122 • Representatives of the Church and emperor met in Worms, Germany; they reached a compromise allowing for absolute papal authority except the emperor could veto appointments

8. The Power of the Church • Disorder in the Empire • The Reign of Frederick I • 1152; the seven princes responsible for appointing the king chose Frederick I • Holy Roman Empire became a patchwork of feudal territories • Continued Henry’s invasions of Italian cities • 1176; The Lombard League, Italian foot soldiers, defeated Fredericks knights at the Battle of Legnano • 1177; Frederick made peace with the pope and returned to Germany • 1190; Frederick I drowned and his empire fell to pieces

9. The Power of the Church • German States Remain Separate • Frederick II and his predecessors; attempted to rebuild Charlemagne’s empire • Conflict with Italian cities and the pope led to the fragmentation of the feudal states of Germany • Result: The Catholic Church gained power and established its dominance in European affairs.