1. The Church in the Middle Ages
What was the nature and influence of religion in the Middle Ages?
What led to the growth of papal power in Europe?
Why did the Church become powerful and important in the Middle Ages?

2. Christian beliefs Christian Beliefs
Manorialism, feudalism encouraged local loyalties
Christian beliefs brought people across Europe together in spiritual community of Christendom
Creation of a “churchly kingdom”
Religion touched almost every aspect of Christians’ lives

3. Why was medieval clergy influential?
Religious Ceremony
Major life events marked by religious ceremonies
Monks acted as peacemakers, prayed for safety of rulers, armies
Church officials served as teachers, record keepers
Church leaders, or clergy, usually the only ones educated and literate during this time
Clergy people’s main connection to church, had great influence
Christian church had strong influence over daily lives of most Europeans; clergy were the people's link to the church

4. Why was medieval clergy influential?
Growth of the Church
Around 1000, influence of church increased dramatically
Great upwelling of piety, level of devotion, in Europe
Members of Christian church became more devout (religious)
Participation in religious services increased, thousands flocked to monasteries, joined religious orders

5. The Pope in the Middle Ages
Popes as Political Figures
Pope is head of Roman Catholic Church and spiritual leader
During Middle Ages, they became powerful political figures
Gregory I (590) moves power of pope into secular (everyday) world—used Church money to build roads, help poor, raise armies
Negotiates peace treaties with invaders like the Lombards

6. Growth of the Pope’s Power
900s-1000s, pope had little authority
Considered head of church, but local bishops made most important religious decisions
Papacy not held in high regard
Few popes noted for religious devotion; most were nobles concerned with increasing own power
1049, first of series of clever, capable popes dedicated to reforming papacy came to power, Leo IX
Believed that Europe’s clergy had become corrupt, wanted to reform it
Concerned with simony, buying and selling of church offices by bishops
Not only were Europe’s common people inspired by a new sense of piety, many clergy members sought ways to improve conditions.

7. Power and Conflict
Bishops guilty of bad offenses excommunicated, cast out of church
No greater punishment for Christians in Middle Ages—it meant they could not be saved
Leo became more active in governing church than other popes in past
conflict with political, religious leaders
Many bishops believed pope had no authority to tell them how to act
One who rejected Leo’s authority, bishop of Constantinople
1054, Leo excommunicated bishop, split Christian Church in two (schism)
Those who agreed Leo called Roman Catholics (WEST)
Those who sided with bishop, Eastern Orthodox (EAST—Byzantine)

9. In what ways did popes become stronger in the Middle Ages?
Pope became head of huge network of ecclesiastical courts, heard cases on religious, moral matters
Pope also ruled territories, like Papal States
Had ability to raise armies to defend territories
Several popes hired Normans to fight wars
Crusades against Muslims launched by popes
The Investiture Controversy between Pope Gregory VII and Henry IV of Germany (Holy Roman Empire)
eliminated corrupt clergy, appointed bishops, became political leaders, built armies, ruled territory

10. Main Ideas
Reform and changes swept through the Christian Church, one of the most influential institutions in medieval Europe.
Popes gained influence over people’s religious lives, also over European politics