1. Churches Rise to Power

2. Christianity & Medieval Society
1000’s of churches are built across Europe. One of the key factors in shaping medieval society.
Over 98% of Europeans are Christian.
Life revolved around the church. Markets, festivals, & ceremonies all took place there.

3. Religious Sight: Compostela

4. Religious Sight: Rome

5. Religious Sight: Canterbury Cathedral

6. The Church & Politics
The Church also gained political power during the Middle Ages.
People left land to the church when they died.
The church became one of the largest land owners in Europe.
Some religious officials got so involved with politics, that they spent little time dealing with religious affairs.

7. The Power of Kings and Popes
In the early middle ages, nobles and knights had a lot of power.
As trade and cities grew, this power began to shift.
More and more power came into the hands of two types of people. The pope and the king.
Popes had great spiritual power, and kings had great political power.
Together they controlled most of European society.

8. The Popes Power The pope was the head of the Christian church.
And nearly everyone in Europe belonged to the church.

9. The Popes Power The pope was seen as God’s representative on Earth.
People asked for guidance: How to live & pray.
The pope decided what to teach

10. Excommunication
The pope also decided when someone was acting out against the church. And could punish that person.
For serious offensive, he could choose to excommunicate someone.
Excommunication= cast out from the church.
This scared people because if they died while being excommunicated, they would not go to heaven.

11. Why was excommunication a big deal to kings?
People during the middle ages believed Kings rule by the authority of God. If they were excommunicated, they had no power to rule.

12. Popes Political Power The pope also had political power.
After the fall of Rome, people looked to them as leaders.
Some even lived like royalty. Huge palaces and very rich.
But this caused conflict with the kings.

13. Kings Power
Europe's most powerful leaders, ruled England, France, & the Holy Roman Empire.
They inherited their thrones from their fathers.
Maintained order through alliance & warfare.

14. Churches hierarchy of power

15. Kings and Popes Clash
As Popes worked to increase their power, they often came into conflict with the King.
For example one of the major arguments, kings thought they should be able to elect bishops
Popes argued they should choose religious officials.

16. A Short Story: Pope Gregory VII vs. Emperor Henry IV

17. Pope Greg disapproves of Emperor Henry’s bishop

18. Emperor Henry is ANGRY!!!

19. Pope Greg excommunicates Henry

20. Henry begs for forgiveness

21. Pope Forgives. Proving once again the pope is more powerful.