Unit: Medieval Europe
Lesson Title: Popes Fight for Power
(See textbook pages 262-263)
Gregory VII
Henry IV
The people of western Europe considered the
pope in Rome the head of the church.
St. John Lateran in Rome
Hagia Sophia Constantinople
Christians in eastern (Byzantine) Europe disagreed. Their
bishops controlled religious matters without guidance
from the pope.
Beginning in the mid-1000s, several popes sought
to increase their authority. They believed all
church officials should answer to them.
Pope Leo IX (who became pope in 1049) believed that the
popes were the head of the whole Christian church,
going back to the St. Peter, the Apostle.
Many church leaders in eastern Europe refused to
recognize the supremacy of the pope--especially
Patriarch Michael Cerularius who led the
Byzantine Christians in the east.
Then Pope Leo excommunicated Patriarch Cerularis in
1054. This caused the “Great Schism” – a split in the
worldwide Christian church.
Christians in the east formed the Orthodox Church.
Christians in the west who followed the popes became
known as the Roman Catholic Church.
How do you think this split would affect
Christianity as a religion?
The actions by popes trying to increase their power
also led them into conflict with kings in Europe.
Gregory VII
Henry IV
In class reading activity
Read “Kings and Popes Clash” (page 263).
Answer these questions:
1. What was the argument between Pope Gregory VII
and Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV?
2. Why did Henry IV eventually give in to the pope?
3. Why do you think the pope made Emperor Henry IV
wait three days before forgiving him?
4. What compromise eventually solved the conflict that
had arisen between Pope Gregory VII and Emperor
Henry IV?
Cause and Effect
(You try it—see page 259)
Causes
1. Gregory disapproved of bishops.
2. Henry convinced Germany’s
bishops to remove Gregory as pope.
3. Henry wants to stay in power.
4. Pope Gregory refused to see Henry.
Effects
________
________
________
________
Right Side Notebook Activity
Write a letter as Pope Gregory or Emperor Henry to
the other person. Include in your letter:
• your position on who should have authority to select
bishops and why (where that authority came from);
• and whether or not you would have been happy with
the compromise reached in 1122.
Use page 263 and the Primary Source reading on page 262
to help you write the letter.
Lesson wrap-up
The picture shows Henry IV asking forgiveness for
Pope Gregory VII.
Why do you think a king would want to select
bishops himself in medieval Europe?