The Transition of Papal Politicization As Demonstrated Through Pope Gregory Ix and His Adversaries in the Thirteenth Century
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University of New Mexico UNM Digital Repository History ETDs Electronic Theses and Dissertations Spring 4-5-2018 The rT ansition of Papal Politicization as Demonstrated through Pope Gregory IX and His Adversaries in the Thirteenth Century Emily Northcutt University of New Mexico Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/hist_etds Part of the Christianity Commons, European History Commons, History of Religion Commons, Medieval History Commons, and the Medieval Studies Commons Recommended Citation Northcutt, Emily. "The rT ansition of Papal Politicization as Demonstrated through Pope Gregory IX and His Adversaries in the Thirteenth Century." (2018). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/hist_etds/217 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Electronic Theses and Dissertations at UNM Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in History ETDs by an authorized administrator of UNM Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Emily Northcutt Candidate History Department This thesis is approved, and it is acceptable in quality and form for publication: Approved by the Thesis Committee: Sarah Davis-Secord, Chairperson Michael Ryan Timothy Graham i THE TRANSITION OF PAPAL POLITICIZATION AS DEMONSTRATED THROUGH POPE GREGORY IX AND HIS ADVERSARIES IN THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY by EMILY NORTHCUTT BACHELOR OF ARTS, HISTORY THESIS Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts History The University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico May 2018 ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, I would like to thank my thesis advisor, Dr. Sarah Davis- Secord at the University of New Mexico. Dr. Davis-Secord not only helped shape this work from an idea into a realistic research project, but has provided continued encouragement and support throughout my time as a graduate student. I would also like to thank Dr. Timothy Graham and Dr. Michael Ryan of the University of New Mexico for their help in completing this work as well as their fantastic instruction in the classroom. My graduate career would not have been possible nor as enjoyable without my colleagues Frank Espinosa, Sarah Fairbanks, Olivia Gannon, Danika Grenko, Marybeth Perdomo, and Stephanie Victoria Violette, who took me under her wing my first semester as a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed student. Thank you to my family and friends, mother and father Jill and Tony Cole, brother Noah Cole, and Kate Taylor, you have all been nothing but supportive during my journey. My parents have read so many drafts of this thesis that they now know more about the topic than most of the American population. I want to thank the Institute for Medieval Studies as well as the entire History Department at the University of New Mexico for answering my endless questions and pushing me in the right direction towards graduation. Lastly, I want to thank my husband Ryan Northcutt for his constant support and love as we move through life together. iii THE TRANSITION OF PAPAL POLITICIZATION AS DEMONSTRATED THROUGH POPE GREGORY IX AND HIS ADVERSARIES IN THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY by Emily Northcutt B.A., History, University of Oklahoma, 2016 M.A., History, University of New Mexico, 2018 ABSTRACT Gregory IX (pope 1227-41) asserted his papal authority over secular and religious leaders in an attempt to showcase the strength of the church. His pontificate took place between those of the famous Innocent III (1198-1216) and the powerful Innocent IV (1243-54), meaning that Gregory’s accomplishments are often overshadowed. This thesis aims to prove that Gregory is a worthy protagonist and a worthy subject of study in his own right. Comparing Gregory’s pontificate to those of his immediate predecessor and successor highlights the shifting nature of Gregory’s priorities. This work examines Gregory’s relationship with Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II regarding crusades and the emperor’s controversial relationship with Muslims. Gregory’s unique method of addressing Islam as a propagandistic tactic implies that he was more concerned with a group’s actions rather than its religious affiliation. The pope also had disagreements with St. Clare of Assisi regarding the privilege of poverty, and he tried to limit her monastery’s rights in an effort to secure his authority over female monastic orders. Pope Gregory IX knew how to play the political game, and he marks a transitional period in the papacy as a pope who strove to maintain his position of power. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1 Sources and Methods .................................................................................................... 2 Organization .................................................................................................................. 4 Implications ................................................................................................................... 6 CHAPTER 2 FREDERICK II HOHENSTAUFEN VERSUS THREE POPES: POWER DYNAMICS IN THE USE OF ISLAM AS A POLITICAL TOOL ............ 7 Frederick II Hohenstaufen ............................................................................................ 8 Pope Honorius III ........................................................................................................ 10 Pope Gregory IX ......................................................................................................... 12 Pope Innocent IV ........................................................................................................ 14 Power Dynamics in Papal-Imperial Diplomacy ......................................................... 21 Power Dynamics in Relation to Islam ........................................................................ 23 CHAPTER 3 FREDERICK II’S CRUSADE: A PEACEFUL JOURNEY WITH VIOLENT CONSEQUENCES ........................... 25 Leading up to the Crusade .......................................................................................... 26 Yolanda of Jerusalem .................................................................................................. 27 An Excommunicated Emperor .................................................................................... 30 Frederick’s Crusade .................................................................................................... 32 Frederick in Jerusalem ................................................................................................ 36 Political and Religious Aftermath ............................................................................... 38 CHAPTER 4 EXCOMMUNICATIONS WITH MANY EXPLANATIONS: v POPE GREGORY IX AND FREDERICK II’S CRUSADE ...................................... 43 Background and Historiography ................................................................................. 45 Islam as a Rhetorical Device ....................................................................................... 47 Excommunication and a Rebellious Crusade ............................................................. 49 The Foundation of Lucera ........................................................................................... 55 Lucera’s Role in Propaganda ...................................................................................... 57 Aftermath and Conclusions ......................................................................................... 63 CHAPTER 5 THE BATTLE FOR POVERTY: POPE GREGORY IX AGAINST SAINT CLARE OF ASSISI ................................. 65 The Life of Clare of Assisi .......................................................................................... 67 Cardinal Hugolino of Ostia ......................................................................................... 69 Pope Gregory IX ......................................................................................................... 72 The Privilege of Poverty ............................................................................................. 74 The Battle Begins ........................................................................................................ 78 Agnes of Prague .......................................................................................................... 81 Conclusions ................................................................................................................. 83 CHAPTER 6 EPILOGUE ..................................................................................................................... 85 BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................................................... 93 vi Chapter 1 Introduction The thirteenth-century church saw a wave of political popes who altered the overall function and motivation behind the upper administration of the Roman church. One of these popes in particular does not receive the credit that he deserves despite filling his pontificate with significant disagreements, actions, and changes. Pope Gregory IX served as pope from 1227-1241. His pontificate is most notably marked by his tumultuous relationship with Frederick II Hohenstaufen, who was cumulatively Holy Roman Emperor (from 1215), King of Sicily (from 1198), King of Germany (from 1212) and King of Jerusalem (from 1225). Yet this relationship is only one indicator of a larger shift in a political papacy. Gregory’s predecessor Innocent III often attracts