Transcript The Medieval Catholic Church and Power Struggles Notes

The Catholic Church in the
Middle Ages
The church was
very powerful. It
claimed power
over all religious
and secular
(non-religious)
parts of life.
I. Reasons for the Church’s Power
A. Faith
1. The church
represented God.
2. Religion united people.
3. The church could
send you to Heaven
or Hell.
4. If you didn’t obey Canon Law you
could be excommunicated.
Canon Law- church law; the church
had its own courts
Excommunicationexclusion (being kicked out) of the
church, you can’t receive
sacraments (sacred rituals of the
Church) or a Christian burial and
are Shunned (rejected).
Interdictexcommunication of an entire area or
kingdom. This happened when a noble or
king violated canon law.
II. Wealth
A. Nobles often left land to the church
when they died.
B. Church wealth increased through tithes
(church “tax” or donation; 10%)
III. Learning
A.
Rulers used Clergy
(religious officials)
to keep records.
B. The church
preserved learning.
Church
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Hierarchy
Pope
(1 head)
Bishops
(2946 diocese, cathedrals)
Priests
(219,583 parishes)
Catholics
(1 Billion members)
Pope Francis (Latin: Franciscus; Italian: Francesco; born Jorge Mario Bergoglio,[b] 17
December 1936) is Pope of the Catholic Church, a title he holds ex officio for being
the Bishop of Rome, in which capacity he is also the absolute sovereign of the Vatican
City State.
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Bergoglio worked briefly as a chemical technician
and nightclub bouncer before beginning seminary studies.[2] He was ordained a
Catholic priest in 1969 and from 1973 to 1979 was Argentina's Provincial superior of
the Society of Jesus. He became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was
created a cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II.
Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on 28 February 2013, a papal
conclave elected Bergoglio as his successor on 13 March. He chose Francis as his
papal name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. Francis is the first Jesuit pope, the first
from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere and the first non-European
pope since the Syrian Gregory III in 741, 1,272 years earlier.[3]
From Wikipedia
IV. Corruption
A. Corruption grew with
wealth and power.
B. The clergy lived in
luxury & ignored vows.
C. This led to reform
(change for the
better).
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Summary
1. Living on manors isolated people from
each other.
2. Shared beliefs keep people united during
difficult times.
3. The goal was salvation (a life in heaven).
4. The church had power because they
controlled the sacraments.
POWER STRUGGLES
Kings vs. Nobles vs. Church
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It’s a Triple Threat
Match!
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The Anglos
and Saxons
invade
England
Anglos – a Germanic
tribe (this is where
“England” comes
from)
Saxons – a
Germanic tribe
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In 1066, the AngloSaxon King
Edward died
without an heir.
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His brother-inlaw, Harold, was
chosen to rule.
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But Duke William
of Normandy,
France also
claimed the
English throne!
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The Norman invasion was the
last time England was ever
invaded.
All kings and queens of
England, including Queen
Elizabeth II and Prince
William, are direct
descendants of William the
Conqueror and his wife
Matilda
I. Royal Power in
England
William the
Conqueror created
the Domesday
Book- took a census
for tax collecting
II. Noble’s Power
A. Common Law- law that is the same
for all people
B. Jury System- trial by peers
Henry II (King in 1154 CE)
C. In 1215, nobles force
King John to sign the
Magna Carta or
Great Charter (63
clauses)
Monarch must obey law
& protects people’s
rights (limited the king’s
power)
D. Parliament- a
representative
governing body
(like our
Congress!)
One of the most photographed buildings in the
European Union is the British Parliament. Tourists
from around the world adore this magnificent symbol
of freedom and democracy. The UK Parliament
Buildings are located on the River Thames near
Whitehall.
E. Power of the
Purse- Parliament
controls the money
for war and taxes
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III. Church Power
Several popes clashed with kings
over who had more power. Popes
usually excommunicated the ruler or
placed their kingdom under an
interdict to force them to recognize
papal supremacy. The pope even
had his own private army to carry out
“God’s will.”
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SUMMARY:
All of the above came
about because of the
clash between kings,
feudal lords, and the
church. Each wanted
more power than the
other.