Unit 4: The Role of the Church in Medieval Europe
A. Religion as a unifying force
1. Feudalism and the manor system created divisions among people.
2. But the shared beliefs in the teachings of the church brought people together. It gave Christians a sense
of security and belonging to a religious community.
3. Therefore, religion provided an important unifying force
B. Church Law
1. Canon Law, or Church Law, had to be followed by EVERYONE in matters of marriage and religious
practices.
2. Punishment for failure to follow Canon Law
a. Excommunication – banishment from the church.
i.
Excommunication was also the denial of salvation.
ii.
For kings, excommunication meant that the king’s vassals were released from their duties
to him
b. Interdict – sacraments and services could not be performed in the king’s lands. The king’s subjects
felt that without the sacraments they could be doomed to hell.
C. Conflict between Church and State
1. Church held supreme spiritual authority
2. It was the largest landowner in Europe
3. The church was governed according to canon law
4. Clergy were often the only literate members of society
D. Lay Investiture - Who should appoint church officials?
1. The State’s Position
a. The state should be able to appoint Church officials
b. The state has always been able to appoint Church officials. Why should this change?
c. Henry IV of Germany was angered by Pope Gregory’s actions because he needed church leaders to
support him against powerful German lords
2. The Church’s Position
a. Wanted to reform corrupt church leaders who plotted with kings to increase their wealth and
power
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E. Key Events in the Lay Investiture Conflict
1. In 1075, Pope Gregory VII banned lay investiture
2. Henry IV (of Germany) demanded that Gregory VII resign as Pope
3. Pope Gregory VII excommunicated Henry IV
4. Henry realized he could not defeat the Pope
5. Begged for Gregory’s forgiveness and it was granted
6. Unfortunately, this didn’t resolve the problem
7. Eventually Lay investiture issue resolved with the Concordat of Worms in 1122
8. Representatives of the Church and the Emperor met in the German city of Worms
9. Agreement that only church officials could appoint church leaders
10. Kings could give titles and land grants to church officials
11. Compromise assured kings loyalty of the clergy, and the Church power over all aspects of life in the
Middle Ages regardless of social and political ranking
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