1. Power of the Church Preview Main Idea / Reading Focus
Religion in the Middle Ages
Growth of Papal Power
Changes in Monasticism
Visual Study Guide / Quick Facts
Video: The Impact of the Feudal System in Europe

2. Power of the Church Main Idea Reading Focus
Reform and changes swept through the Christian Church, one of the most influential institutions in medieval Europe.
Reading Focus
What was the nature and influence of religion in the Middle Ages?
What led to the growth of papal power in Europe?
What changes in monasticism were introduced in the Middle Ages?

3. Religion in the Middle Ages
Pope is head of Roman Catholic Church
Early popes seen as spiritual leaders
During Middle Ages, they became powerful political figures
Popes as Political Figures
Manorialism, feudalism encouraged local loyalties
Christian beliefs brought people across Europe together in spiritual community of Christendom
Religion touched almost every aspect of Christians’ lives
Christian Beliefs

4. Religious Ceremonies Dramatic Increase
Major life events marked by religious ceremonies
Monks acted as peacemakers, prayed for safety of rulers, armies
Church officials served as teachers, record keepers
Clergy people’s main connection to church, had great influence
Dramatic Increase
Around 1000, influence of church increased dramatically
Great upwelling of piety, level of devotion, in Europe
Members of Christian church became more devout
Participation in religious services increased, thousands flocked to monasteries, joined religious orders

5. Identify Cause and Effect
Why was the medieval clergy so influential?
Answer(s): Christian church had strong influence over daily lives of most Europeans; clergy were the people's link to the church

6. Growth of Papal Power Papacy Church Reforms
Not only were Europe’s common people inspired by a new sense of piety, many clergy members sought ways to improve conditions.
900s, 1000s, pope had little authority
Considered head of church, but local bishops made most important religious decisions
Papacy not held in high regard
Few popes noted for religious devotion; most were nobles concerned with increasing own power
Papacy
1049, first of series of clever, capable popes dedicated to reforming papacy came to power, Leo IX
Believed that Europe’s clergy had become corrupt, wanted to reform it
Concerned with simony, buying and selling of church offices by bishops
Church Reforms

7. Power and Conflict Excommunication Reforms Conflict
Bishops guilty of bad offenses excommunicated, cast out of church
No greater punishment for Christians in Middle Ages
Person excommunicated could not take part in Eucharist, could not be saved
Reforms
Leo became more active in governing church than other popes in past
Reforms brought him into conflict with political, religious leaders
Many bishops believed pope had no authority to tell them how to act
Conflict
One who rejected Leo’s authority, bishop of Constantinople
1054, Leo excommunicated bishop, split Christian Church in two
Those who agreed Leo called Roman Catholics; those who sided with bishop, Orthodox

8. Popes and Politics
Popes gained influence over people’s religious lives, also over European politics
Pope became head of huge network of ecclesiastical courts, heard cases on religious, moral matters
Pope also ruled territories, like Papal States
Had ability to raise armies to defend territories
Several popes hired Normans to fight wars
Crusades against Muslims launched by popes

9. Conflict over Bishops Tradition Reform Bishop of Milan
Although popes had increased their power, they still came into conflict with political leaders. Popes of the late 1000s were firmly resolved to change the way members of the clergy were chosen.
Kings, other leaders played active role in choosing clergy
Kings chose most bishops
Holy Roman emperor named several popes
Tradition
Reform popes did not think anyone but clergy should choose religious officials
Issue became critical during Pope Gregory VII’s pontificate
Reform
Henry IV, Holy Roman emperor, chose new bishop for city of Milan
Gregory did not approve, removed bishop
Henry disputed Gregory’s authority
Bishop of Milan

10. Gregory and Henry Excommunication Canossa Bishops Power
Gregory’s response was to excommunicate Henry
Called on clergy, nobility of Germany to replace emperor
Canossa
Fearing he would lose his throne, Henry traveled to Canossa to beg forgiveness
Reluctantly, Gregory lifted excommunication
Bishops
Gregory, Henry continued fighting over bishops for years
Later popes reached compromise: local clergy would choose bishops
Power
Most important outcome: Gregory stood up to emperor
The pope had become one of strongest figures in Europe

11. In what ways did popes become stronger in the Middle Ages?
Analyze
In what ways did popes become stronger in the Middle Ages?
Answer(s): eliminated corrupt clergy, appointed bishops, became political leaders, built armies, ruled territory

12. Changes in Monasticism
Contemplation and Prayer
Early Middle Ages, monasteries founded by men seeking lives of contemplation and prayer
Monasteries often paid for by local rulers, who chose abbots who led them
Benedictine Rule Abandoned
By around 900, rulers had stopped choosing qualified abbots
Many held positions only for prestige
In these monasteries, strict Benedictine Rule abandoned
Return to Monasticism
Early 900s, group of monks sought to return monasticism to strict roots
Established new monastery at Cluny, France, to live by Benedictine Rule
Monks of Cluny reserved right to choose own abbot

13. Network of Monasteries
Cluny became most influential monastery in Europe
Monks established daughter houses, leaders had to answer to Cluny abbot
Other monasteries in France, Spain, Italy adopted Cluny’s customs, agreed to follow direction of its abbots
Cluny became core of network of monasteries across western Europe
For some monks, Benedictine life not strict enough
Monks wanted lives free from any worldly distractions
Created new orders, most popular of which was Cistercian order
New Orders
Usually built outside of towns to ensure isolation
Undecorated, unheated even in winter; monks divided time between prayer, labor
Other new orders even stricter, members lived like hermits
Cistercian Monasteries

14. What changes were introduced to monasticism?
Find the Main Idea
What changes were introduced to monasticism?
Answer(s): stricter rules, monks stayed out of politics, simplified lives

16. Video The Impact of the Feudal System in Europe
Click above to play the video.