1. The Church in the Lives of Medieval People

2. When we talk about “The Church” we are referring to the Roman Catholic Church

4. Why Was the Church So Powerful? Life was short and hard for the common person the promise of a reward (heaven) if they behaved and endured was appealing. Did many of the jobs government does today ( made laws, set up courts, grew wealthy from taxes) Gained political power as advisors to the kings.

5. Political Influence The growing power of church officials in politics caused arguments over who was really in charge Kings wanted church leaders to obey them but the pope claimed he could crown the king

6. Gregory VII Elected pope in 1073 Wanted to stop nobles and kings from interfering in church affairs Issued a decree forbidding kings from appointing high ranking church officials Decree angered Henry IV, the Holy Roman Emperor. For years he had appointed bishops and without them he risked losing power to the nobles

7. Henry refused to obey Pope Gregory and declared that he was no longer pope Pope Gregory excommunicated Henry VI Henry had to grovel back By 1122 an agreement was reached but by a new pope and king. They agreed that only the pope could choose bishops but only the king could give them jobs in government

8. Church’s Influence on Society Limited warfare between feudal lords (threat of excommunication) Owned large farms –Monks and nuns worked the land –Came up with new farming techniques –Helped improve the economy which was based on farming

9. Pope Innocent III Elected pope in 1198 Catholic Church at the height of its power Innocent was able to control the kings through excommunication and interdict Interdict: forbids priests from providing Christian rituals to a group of people

10. The Crusades

11. 1071 an army of Muslim Turks defeated the Byzantine Empire and seized control of it. The Byzantine Emperor did not have enough money or troops to drive out the Turks. In desperation, he asked the pope for help defending the Christian empire from Muslim invaders

12. The Crusades Pope Urban II spoke before a large crows and asked Europe’s lords to launch a holy war against the Muslim Turks. Wanted them to “capture Jerusalem and free the holy land where Jesus lived from the Muslims” People believed it was the will of God to participate

13. The Crusades Crusades appealed to many because of the possibility to gain land, fortune and a good standing with God. Over the next 200 years there were 3 Crusades

14. Results of the Crusades Christians never recaptured the Holy Lands Increase in trade and the use of money Finished off feudalism Old knowledge of the Greeks and Romans was rediscovered and reintroduced into Europe