Rise and Decline of the Church

Papal Power

• Popes had been in charge of Church as well as Central Italy (Papal States)

• Also involved in Feudal System

• Higher ranking Nobles were becoming Bishops – and not spiritual people

Papal Reform

• Gregory VII wanted to be free from Secular interference in religious appointments

• Convinced that Popes authority extended over Christian world

• If rulers did not allow Pope to appoint at his will he would remove rulers

Henry IV of Germany

• Clashed with Gregory VII over appointments of Bishops

• Henry used bishops as members of his government – couldn’t allow change

• Investiture Controversy

• Concordant of Worms – compromise where Pope appointed but King would get commitment

Church Supreme

• Innocent III• Papal authority = Sun• Royal authority = Moon• Pope is supreme in all European Affairs• Excerised power by giving interdict – withholding sacraments

Franciscans & Dominicans

• New religious orders

• Franciscans – abandon all worldly goods – lived among the people begging – missionary work

• Dominicans – mission to defend the church from heresy – new religions order was best to fight heresy

Inquisition

• Court to find and try heretics

• Dominicans became forerunners in this

• Confessors would be forced perform public penance

• No confession but still “guilty” were executed

• This was seen as the only way to save souls

Sacraments

• Sacraments were central importance to ordinary people as a way of receiving God’s grace

• Only clergy could administer

• Clergy powerful

Saints

• People looked to saints for protection

• Mary – most revered• Relics – bones of

saints or other things they used believed to be holy

Decline of Church Power

• Struggle between French and Italy

• French King Philip IV – wanted to tax clergy

• Pope said no!

• Philip refuses to accept Pope’s authority

• Philip gets a French Pope elected

• Pope moves from Rome to Avignon 1305-1377

• Eventually moves back

Great Schism

• Period of two popes – one in Avignon one in Rome

• Each Pope declares other anti-Christ

• Divided Europe• All popes resign• Mutually approved

Pope selected

Loss of Political Power

• Schism damages the Pope’s power

• Pope loses most authority over royalty

Test Will Not Cover

• 100 Years War and after in the book

• Map quiz will be Friday!