1. How was the Catholic Church able to become the greatest source of stability and self-identification in Western Europe?

2. The Church & The Holy Roman Empire
A crown from the Holy Roman Empire.
After the death of Charlemagne, the Holy Roman Empire was the strongest kingdom that arose from the ruins of his empire.
When Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne emperor in 800, he unknowingly set the stage for future conflicts between popes and emperors.

3. Expanding Influence of the Church
Christian Church has become an important political, economic, spiritual and cultural force in Europe
Conversion by force
Eventually in 11th Century, Church split into two independent branches Eastern Orthodox (Greek) based in Constantinople and Roman Catholic in Rome
Christian Church has become an important political, economic, spiritual and cultural force in Europe
Leading officials of Church were the bishops of Rome (Pope) and Constantinople (Patriarch)
As influence grew, laws were passed to forced people to become Christians and banned heresy (holding beliefs that contradict the official religion)
Fines were given against heretics, then harsher penalties and even death
Eventually, conversion by force
Eventually in 11th Century, Church split into two independent branches Eastern Orthodox (Greek) based in Constantinople and Roman Catholic in Rome

4. Role of the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages
 Role 1  - Unifying Force
Once the Western Roman Empire fell, there was no central government.
          1. The people of Europe were not unified - to become united, combined.
2. There were many feudal kingdoms throughout Europe.
3. Medieval - an adjective describing, relating, or a characteristic of the Middle Ages.

5. Role of the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages
 THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH BECAME THE UNIFYING FORCE IN WESTERN EUROPE.
This lasted for 1,000 years.
Pope - Head of the Roman Catholic Church
1. In the Middle Ages, the Pope was the head of the Christian Church in Western Europe.
2. Pope was seen as God's representative on Earth.
3. Popes and kings fought each other for political power throughout Europe.
4. Vatican City  - Located inside of Rome, Italy. It is the spiritual center of the Roman Catholic Church and home of the Pope.

6. Vatican City

7. Role of the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages
 Role 2 - Diffuse (Spread Christianity)
     Monastery - It is a community of monks.
 1. Primary role of a monastery was to influence people to become Christian.
 monk - a member of a religious community who separate themselves from society and live a life of isolation in their dedication to God.
         - spent their time in prayer, work, and
meditation

9. Role of the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages
 ONE OF MAJOR ROLES OF MONASTERIES AND MONKS WAS TO SPREAD THE CHRISTIAN FAITH.
     Benedictine Rule - A set of rules for monasteries created by a monk named Benedict.
     
Religious Orders
           Monks created religious orders including the Franciscans to Dominicans to spread Christianity and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

10. Role of the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages
Role 3 - Preserve Christian Writing After the Fall of Rome
 A. Centers of Learning and Sustainer of Culture
1. Collected and saved ancient Christian writings including the Bible and other great Christian works by creating handwritten copies.
         
2. Scriptorium - a writing room where Monks would copy books.
 Book of Kells - Ancient manuscript (handwritten book) and decorated with many beautiful pictures.

12. Role of the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages
Role 4 – Education
A. Monasteries were Centers of Learning - 
1. First, trained boys to become priests.
2. Second, grew to become Europe's first universities such as the Notre Dame Cathedral in France.

13. You scratch my back… I’ll scratch yours….
Church was granted favors by Roman Emperors / Kings (land, exemption from taxes, immunity in courts, positions in courts) and in return the Church would endorse kings to help secure their rule
Kings looked to Church to supply educated administrators to help run kingdoms and in return kings would enforce laws that prohibited other religions