Medieval Christianity SS.A.2.4.7; SS.B.1.4.4; SS.A.3.4.4

The Papacy & Politics Popes begin to gain control of lands in Italy Popes begin to gain control of lands in Italy Pope’s lands known as Papal States Pope’s lands known as Papal States Popes often dealt with political matters at the expense of spiritual duties Popes often dealt with political matters at the expense of spiritual duties Popes’ vassals given church titles Popes’ vassals given church titles Kings and nobles would give fiefs to bishops, known as lay investitures Kings and nobles would give fiefs to bishops, known as lay investitures Church officials who care more about their Earthly lords, and secular titles, neglect the holy call of God and Church Church officials who care more about their Earthly lords, and secular titles, neglect the holy call of God and Church 1073: Gregory VII elected pope 1073: Gregory VII elected pope Believes he’s chosen by God to fix Church Believes he’s chosen by God to fix Church

Pope Gregory’s Reforms Asserted Pope’s roll as leader of Christianity, including Christian kings Asserted Pope’s roll as leader of Christianity, including Christian kings King Henry IV of Germany disagrees since he had used bishops as vassals, to lessen the power of Germany’s influential nobles King Henry IV of Germany disagrees since he had used bishops as vassals, to lessen the power of Germany’s influential nobles Pope makes it a sin to accept lay investitures Pope makes it a sin to accept lay investitures Henry does it anyway (Investiture Controversy) Henry does it anyway (Investiture Controversy) Controversy continues until Gregory and new king agree on Concordat of Worms Controversy continues until Gregory and new king agree on Concordat of Worms Pope must elect German bishops, then king can bestow temporal investitures Pope must elect German bishops, then king can bestow temporal investitures

Church Supremacy Popes after Gregory respect his changes, but more concerned with gaining power/stability Popes after Gregory respect his changes, but more concerned with gaining power/stability Innocent III: Pope is supreme judge of Europe Innocent III: Pope is supreme judge of Europe King John forced to accept Archbishop of Canterbury, against his own wishes King John forced to accept Archbishop of Canterbury, against his own wishes Forces King Philip Augustus to take back his wife, and restore her as Queen of France Forces King Philip Augustus to take back his wife, and restore her as Queen of France Spiritual tools used to exact papal will: Spiritual tools used to exact papal will: Interdicts: denial of sacraments Interdicts: denial of sacraments

Religious Orders New religious enthusiasm engulfs Europe New religious enthusiasm engulfs Europe Cistercian monks, unhappy with lack of discipline, create new, stricter monastic order Cistercian monks, unhappy with lack of discipline, create new, stricter monastic order Spend more time preaching to and helping people Spend more time preaching to and helping people Many wealthy women join convents Many wealthy women join convents Only place for women to get education Only place for women to get education Francis of Assisi creates Franciscan monastery Francis of Assisi creates Franciscan monastery Asks people to return to simplicity of early church Asks people to return to simplicity of early church Dominic de Guzman finds Dominican order Dominic de Guzman finds Dominican order To preach against heresy To preach against heresy

The Inquisition Church needs way to deal with heresy & heretics Church needs way to deal with heresy & heretics Spiritual court set up called the Inquisition Spiritual court set up called the Inquisition 13th Century Christians believe the only way to Salvation is through Christ and the Church 13th Century Christians believe the only way to Salvation is through Christ and the Church Heresy is a crime against God and humanity Heresy is a crime against God and humanity Convicted heretics were made to confess in public, and be punished (usually by flogging) Convicted heretics were made to confess in public, and be punished (usually by flogging) Dominicans become main source of inquisitors Dominicans become main source of inquisitors Church sees using force to save souls from eternal damnation was right thing to do Church sees using force to save souls from eternal damnation was right thing to do

Popular Religion Sacraments of Church central to people’s lives Sacraments of Church central to people’s lives Baptism, Communion, Confession, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, Last Rites Baptism, Communion, Confession, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, Last Rites Sacraments means for receiving God’s grace and salvation; from life to death, church is most important thing Sacraments means for receiving God’s grace and salvation; from life to death, church is most important thing Veneration of saints (men and women to copy) Veneration of saints (men and women to copy) People ask saints to pray for them to God People ask saints to pray for them to God Virgin Mary most highly regarded saint Virgin Mary most highly regarded saint Relics: remains of saints, or things that belonged to saints seen as a link between heaven and Earth Relics: remains of saints, or things that belonged to saints seen as a link between heaven and Earth Pilgrimages to holy sites provide spiritual benefits Pilgrimages to holy sites provide spiritual benefits