The Power of the Church in Medieval Europe

Mr. LawrenceWestern Civ.

The Authority of the Church Two types of power:

The Kings has Political Power The Church has Religious Power

However these two types of Power did not stay separate and the Church and Kings would often have conflicting opinions

The Structure and Unifying Power of the Church The Church had a strong

Structure System called the Clergy Pope - King Cardinals - Barons Bishops - Dukes Priests – Knights

The Church was a unifying power in the Feudal world because no matter your differences you were all Christian

Church Law and its conflict with Kings The Church had its own Law

system called Canon Law The Church would develop

their own court system that could try anyone for breaking canon law. Even a King

There two most common punishments were Excommunication and Interdict

The Inquisition would be born out of this trial system

The Holy Roman Empire Consisted of the German

States and the northern half of Italy

Was created out of Charlemagne’s Kingdom and the Emperors were considered decedents of Charlemagne.

The Emperor and the Pope would often clash over who really controlled the empire resulting often in war.

The Church and Knighthood The Church started the idea of

Religious Chivalry that God created Knighthood

A good and true Knight should serve God Protect the Poor Fight Only the Enemies of Christ Support and protect the church

Because of the constant fighting between the Feudal lords the Church instituted the Peace of God and the Truce of God into Canon Law