The Holy Roman Empire and the Church Chapter 8 Section 2 The Holy Roman Empire and the Church

The Holy Roman Empire Otto I Becomes Emperor Charlemagne’s Empire divided after his death Otto I of Saxony took over the German Lands Took title King of Germany Worked closely with the Church, helped Pope to defeat rebellious Roman Nobles Crowned Emperor in 962 Took title Holy Roman Emperor

Emperors Struggle for Control Claimed control over central and eastern Europe,parts of France and Italy In reality the real rulers were the nobles and Church officials, vassals of the Emperor Emperors appointed bishops and abbots Popes tried to end such interference from the secular rulers I’m in charge Around here buddy!!!!

The Feud Between Pope and Emperor Gregory VII Causes Controversy Henry IV crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 1054 Gregory VII wanted Church to be independent of secular rulers Banned lay investiture Only Pope had right to appoint and install bishops in office

Henry IV Responds Henry IV angered Bishops held lands as a royal fief He was their overlord, so he had the right to give them the symbols of office Insulting letters exchanged Rebellious German princes supported the pope

The Struggle Intensifies 1076 Gregory VII excommunicates Henry IV Subjects free from their allegiance to Henry Gregory set off to crown a new emperor Henry had no choice but to repent Gregory lifted the excommunication Returned to Germany to put down revolts Lead and army to Rome and forced Gregory into exile

A Compromise: The Concordat of Worms Controversy over lay investiture lasted for 50 years 1122 both side accepted treaty known as the Concordat of Worms Declared that Church had the sole power to elect and invest bishops with spiritual authority The emperor retained the right to invest them with fiefs

German Emperors Try to Subdue Italy The Struggle for Italy German Emperors Try to Subdue Italy Frederick I “Barbarossa” wanted the rich northern cities of Italy under his control Fought to control them for years Northern cities joined with Pope in the Lombard League Barbarossa defeated Henry, son of Barbarossa, and Constance married Constance was heiress to Sicily and Southern Italy Frederick II, grandson, clashed with several Popes’ Tried but failed to get control of cities in Norhern Italy

Effects on Germany and Italy Nobles in Germany grew more independent while Frederick II was in Italy HRE survived, but stayed a patchwork of feudal states Would not become a nation state like France and England for another 600 years Southern Italy and Sicily faced upheaval as well Popes turned to French to overthrow Frederick’s heirs Fighting between France and Spain left southern Italy in chaos

Church Power Reaches Its Height Papal Supremacy Pope Innocent III claimed Papal supremacy Clashed with rulers and usually won Excommunicated King John of England and put country under interdict Same fate for Philip II of France Teamed up with Philip to exterminate the Albigensians, heretical group in S.France Philip gained their extensive lands

Looking Ahead Popes continued to claim papal supremacy after death of Innocent II French and English monarchs grew stronger 1296 Philip IV successfully challenged Pope Boniface III on the issue of taxing the clergy French Pope elected Papacy entered a period of decline