Empire and Papacy

The Artios Home Companion Series Unit 11: Empire and Papacy Teacher Overview THIS UNIT WILL cover the rise of the Holy Roman Empire under Otto I and the resulting conflict between the Holy Roman Empire and the Catholic Church called the Investiture Controversy. In this unit, we will see friction grow between church and state. Leading Ideas God orders all things for the ultimate good of His people. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28 God has a plan, and in the end He will be exalted. Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! – Psalm 46:10 Pray for those who lead us. Double-headed eagle with coats of arms of individual states, symbol First of all, then, I urge that of the Holy Roman Empire’s rule, by Hans Burgkmair dem Älteren supplications, prayers, inter- (1510). The double-headed eagle symbolizes imperial rule. cessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. – 1 Timothy 2:1-2 1881 illustration depicting papal infallibility, by Lucas Caspar Businger Reading and Suggested Assignments In this unit, students will: Complete one lesson in which they will learn about the Holy Roman Empire and the papacy, journaling and answering discussion questions as they read. Define vocabulary words. Watch the videos found on their HCS Class pages for this unit. Visit their HCS Class pages to check for additional resources. Medieval to Renaissance: High School Unit 11: Empire and Papacy Page 141 Lesson One History Overview and Assignments The Investiture Conflict Key People, Places, and Even ts Otto I Henry III Investiture Conflict Hildebrand Henry IV Decree of 1059 Gregory VII Concordat of Worms Henry IV, the Holy Roman Emperor, waiting for 3 days in Canossa with his wife and child, by John Foxe (publisher) (1563) Reading and Suggested Assignments Vocabulary Review the discussion questions and vocabulary, then read the article: simony Empire and Papacy—the Investiture Conflict. investiture Narrate about today’s reading using the appropriate notebook page. Be sure suppliant to answer the discussion questions and include key people, events, and dates within the narration. Define the vocabulary words in the context of the reading. Write the words and their definitions in the vocabulary section of your history notebook. Watch the videos found on your HCS Class pages for this lesson. Be sure to visit your HCS Class pages to check for additional resources. Discussion Questions 1. What three evils of the Church were most 4. How did Pope Gregory VII humiliate the disconcerting to those who wished to reform it? Emperor? 2. What did the Decree of 1059 detail? 5. How was the Concordat at Worms a real compromise? 3. What “sin” did Henry IV commit for which he was excommunicated? Medieval to Renaissance: High School Unit 11: Empire and Papacy Page 142 Adapted for High School from the book: New Medieval and Modern History by Samuel Bannister Harding in consultation with Albert Bushnell Hart Empire and Papacy—the Investiture Conflict The decline of Carolingian rule in the eastern or these formidable invaders were for the first time German part of Charlemagne’s empire in 911 decisively defeated, and their forces slain, drowned, coincided with a period of great confusion and or scattered in the pursuit. disorder in those lands. This was due chiefly to the Otto’s victory was as great a deliverance for beginning of a new series of barbarian invasions. The Germany as that of Charles Martel over the Saracen newcomers were the Magyars or Hungarians, from Moors had been for France. Soon thereafter the Central Asia. They were akin to the old Huns and Hungarians settled down to agricultural and pastoral Avars, and like them threatened to destroy European life and were converted to Christianity. In the year civilization. They were especially renowned for their 1000 the Pope sent a crown to their king, and thus insatiable greed and the fury of their fighting. admitted the Hungarians to the family of European The weakness of the central government in nations. Through their acceptance of Roman Germany threw the burden of defense against these Christianity, the boundary of western Christendom invaders upon the local counts and dukes. These was shifted far eastward. officers used the opportunity to strengthen and make Otto’s reign saw also the beginning of an practically hereditary their offices, and so laid the important German expansion northeastward, at the foundations of a number of powerful semi-national expense of the Slavs, which won for modern duchies. Germany some of its most important territory. Here Complete decay of Germany after the fall of the also Roman Christianity progressed, through the Carolingians was prevented by the election of the establishment of an archbishopric at Magdeburg in head of one of these duchies, but he proved to be 967, and of a number of bishoprics dependent on it. weaker than the Saxon dukes, and after his death From these centers civilization and Christianity members of the Saxon house ruled Germany for four slowly spread among the neighboring Slavs. reigns. But the most important event of Otto’s reign arose from his dealings with Italy. Since the downfall Otto I of the Carolingians that land had suffered many ills. The first of these reigns which calls for Saracen and Hungarian raids had devastated it, and consideration is that of Otto I (936-973). He was whole cities were ruined. Conflicts raged between the called Otto “the Great” and was one of the most townsmen, led by their bishops, and the feudal important kings of Germany in the Middle Ages. He nobles. The central government was disputed among is described as having a powerful figure, a red face, a a series of shadowy kings and emperors, no one of long wavy beard, and eyes that moved incessantly “as which won wide recognition. The papacy, which if they were watching their prey.” His deeds show might have taken the lead in combating these evils, that he was a man of energy, courage, and military was itself a prey to corrupt and greedy local nobles; skill. and violence, bloodshed, and scandal stained its He strove to increase the kingly power over the history throughout the greater part of the 10th dukes and gained a measure of success in this, century. mainly by building up the power of his own family In 951 the aid of Otto was sought by Princess members, as well as the great churchmen in the Adelaide, the widow of one of the contestants for the state, as a counterbalance to that of the great nobles. Italian crown, against King Berenger, who wanted to force her to marry his son. He led an expedition into Defeat of the Hungarians Italy, where he rescued and married the lady who The value of Otto’s measures was revealed when had sought relief by his aid. A revolt recalled him to in 955 the Hungarians advanced up the Danube Germany; but ten years later, on the invitation of the Valley. On the banks of the river Lech in Swabia, Pope, he went a second time into Italy. Medieval to Renaissance: High School Unit 11: Empire and Papacy Page 143 his grandson, and his grandnephew; but the events of none of these reigns were important enough to call for mention here. Upon the death without heirs of the last of the Saxon rulers, a new German house, that of the Franconians, or Salians, ascended the throne. Under its first two members, Conrad II and Henry III, the The Iron Crown of the Lombards was passed to Otto Holy Roman Empire is considered to have reached in 951 during his first Italian campaign. its height. Burgundy was added to the empire by peaceable succession, and Poland, Bohemia, and Crowned Emperor Hungary became subject nations. The power of the Otto now assumed the crown of Italy; and at German dukes was decreased, and a nominal control Rome, on February 2, 962, the Pope crowned him over Italy, with the imperial title, was maintained. emperor. A few days later Otto confirmed all the But the most important event in these reigns was a grants that had been made to the popes by Pepin and slowly developing movement for church reform, Charlemagne, and decreed that bishops were now which in the next reign produced one of the most nobles of the empire. dramatic struggles of the Middle Ages—the The coronation of Otto revived the imperial title Investiture Conflict between the papacy and the and re-founded the Empire of Charlemagne—to last empire. (at least in name) for about eight centuries and a half longer. The new empire differed in some important Continued Church Reform: respects from the former one. The Investiture Conflict France was no longer part of it, and imperial In the unit on the Medieval Church we described interests were confined almost entirely to Germany the reform movement which spread from the and Italy. The very title used by his successors, that monastery of Cluny throughout Western Europe. of “the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation,” The program of this movement did not stop with the indicates its Teutonic nature. The close connection purification of the monasteries. It extended as well to between Germany and Italy which the empire the secular clergy, whose condition in the 10th and brought about proved hurtful to both.

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