1. The Church and the Middle Ages
How did the Catholic Church gain so much power during the Middle Ages?

2. The Church’s Power Grows
Rome has fallen! 500 AD. Europe lacked a strong central government so the feudal system provided some political stability.
The Catholic Church provided stability during the Middle Ages.
The Church appealed to people of all social classes.

3. How did secular and religious authorities balance power?
spiritual power influenced temporal power (the government)
the crowning of Charlemagne as Emperor of the Romans
lay investiture

4. Church Structure v. Roman Empire Structure
CATHOLIC CHURCH
Clergy: religious officials
The Pope was the head of the Catholic Church
All clergy were under the authority of the pope
Bishops supervised local parish priests
Local priests had the greatest influence on most Europeans because they had the most contact with the people
Canon = Church Law
Religious
ROMAN EMPIRE
Not the Republic!
The Emperor was the head of the Roman Empire
Everyone was under his authority.
Regional Governors ran the provinces.
Generals and Centurions controlled the military.
Imperial law = Everyone had to obey Roman law or pay the price.
Secular = non-religious

5. The Church Helps Unify Europe
The Church was a stable force that helped unify Europe
The Church provided a sense of security and a community
Religion played a central role in Europe and the lives of most Europeans
Christians believed that God would reward them with salvation (heaven)
Christians believed that they needed to participate in the sacraments to achieve salvation
The Church also brought communities together
People worshipped together, especially on religious holidays

6. How did the church’s status when Rome fell lead to its importance during the Middle Ages?
church takes over basic functions of government (centralized authority, bureaucracy, judicial system, canon laws, etc.)
power/ abuse of power

7. The 7 Sacraments
Priests and other religious officials administered the sacraments
Baptism
Reconciliation/Penance/Confession
Eucharist
Confirmation
Marriage
Holy Orders
Last Rights/Anointing of the Sick

8. Church Justice
The Church provided a unifying set of spiritual beliefs, ceremonies, rituals,
Canon Law is the official law of the Catholic Church
Excommunication: banishment from the Church (no sacraments = no heaven)
Interdiction:many sacraments and religious services could/would not be performed in a kingdom or region (sometimes excommunication on a large scale for a entire area)

9. The Catholic Church
As the power of the Church grew, the Church began to play a political role in Europe
This led to conflicts between the Church and the leaders of Europe

10. Otto I Otto I was influenced by Charlemagne
He allied himself with the Church and used the clergy to help limit the power of the nobles
Otto invaded Italy and helped end a threat to the pope
In return, the pope crowned Otto emperor in 962

11. Lay Investiture
Lay investiture was the practice of kings and nobles appointing bishops
Question: Why would the Church be against political leaders choosing bishops? Explain your answer.

12. The Holy Roman Empire
Otto created a German-Italian empire that would eventually be the strongest state in Europe until 1100
Henry IV got into power struggle with Pope and got ex-communicated
Pope gained power by now being the one to appoint bishops

13. The Holy Roman Empire

14. The Holy Roman Empire
1100
Henry IV got into power struggle with Pope and got ex-communicated
Pope gained power by now being the one to appoint bishops

15. The Concordat of Worms
In 1122, the Church and the Holy Roman emperor reached a compromise over the issue of lay investiture
The Church gave bishops their spiritual authority (ring and staff)
The emperor chose the location where the bishop would serve
The emperor also had veto power