Pope Gregory vs. King Henry

Pope Gregory vs. King Henry

The Holy Roman EmpireThe Holy Roman Empire• After Charlemagne’s empire

collapsed the lands of Europe were divided up among nobles.

• Kings had little power over the nobles

• German king Otto the Great decided to increase his power and convinced the Pope to crown him Holy Roman Emperor

• Otto used the church to support his authority.

• After Charlemagne’s empire collapsed the lands of Europe were divided up among nobles.

• Kings had little power over the nobles

• German king Otto the Great decided to increase his power and convinced the Pope to crown him Holy Roman Emperor

• Otto used the church to support his authority.

A Strong-Willed PopeA Strong-Willed Pope

• Pope Gregory became pope in 1073

• Gregory believed that the powers of the pope were supreme

• He made a list of rules declaring his authority over church and non-church leaders.

• He claimed to have power to remove the emperor

• Pope Gregory became pope in 1073

• Gregory believed that the powers of the pope were supreme

• He made a list of rules declaring his authority over church and non-church leaders.

• He claimed to have power to remove the emperor

A Defiant RulerA Defiant Ruler• King Henry IV was the

emperor at the time of Pope Gregory

• He believed Pope Gregory’s rules were a direct attack on his power.

• Henry decided to ignore the rules and have Gregory removed as pope.

• In response Pope Gregory excommunicated Henry from the church.

• King Henry IV was the emperor at the time of Pope Gregory

• He believed Pope Gregory’s rules were a direct attack on his power.

• Henry decided to ignore the rules and have Gregory removed as pope.

• In response Pope Gregory excommunicated Henry from the church.

Lasting EffectsLasting Effects• Throughout Europe the clergy and rulers

took sides.• The power struggle between popes and

rulers continued long after the death of Henry and Gregory.

• Throughout Europe the clergy and rulers took sides.

• The power struggle between popes and rulers continued long after the death of Henry and Gregory.