Christianity in Europe c.1071

Question 1

Which Holy Roman Emperor began the reform papacy movement, and what was this based on?

Answer 1

Emperor Henry III started the reform papacy movement based on a central church authority with the pope at its head, a common set of beliefs, and a desire to expand the influence of the western church.

Question 2

What event made it acceptable for Christians to participate in Holy Wars?

Answer 2

During the Spanish Reconquista became acceptable for Christians to become involved in Holy War.

Question 3

Why was there a dispute between the popes Benedict IX and Sylvester III?

Answer 3

There was a disputed election over who should be the next pope as the Roman noble families argued over who should control the papacy. Benedict IX was expelled from Rome in 1044 and replaced by Sylvester III.

Question 4

How did Gregory VI become pope in 1045?

Answer 4

Gregory VI became pope in 1045 when Benedict IX resigned in favour of him.

Question 5

Why did Henry III refuse to take his crown from either Sylvester III or Gregory VI?

Answer 5

Henry III was not prepared to accept his crown from either Sylvester, who was accused of not being elected according to canon law, or Gregory VI, who was accused of buying his election.

Question 6

Who did Henry III install as anti-pope?

Answer 6

Henry II installed German bishop Clement II as anti-pope who crowned Henry emperor.

Question 7

What areas of the Church did Leo IX focus on reforming?

Answer 7

Leo IX focused on reforming simony, clerical marriage by encouraging priests to be celibates, canon law (making church law superior to secular law).

Question 8

When did Henry III die?

Answer 8

Henry III died in 1056 and his six year old son became Emperor Henry IV.

Question 9

What did Henry IV’s age allow the papacy to do?

Answer 9

Henry IV’s young age, when he was made emperor, allowed the papacy to continue to expand its power in Italy as well as trying to re-establish control over the Eastern Orthodox church. This failed in 1054 when a delegation led by Cardinal Humbert was excommunicated by the Patriarch of Constantinople causing a schism between the two churches.

Question 10

When was Gregory VII appointed pope?

Answer 10

Gregory VII was appointed pope in 1073.

Question 11

When did Henry VI come of age?

Answer 11

In 1066, Henry IV came of age (meaning he was emperor in his own right).

Question 12

Who did Henry nominate as the new archbishop of Milan in 1075 and why was he excommunicated because of it?

Answer 12

Henry nominated Tedald to be the archbishop of Milan in 1075, without consulting Gregory so he responded by excommunication Henry.

Question 13

Why was Henry forced to ask for Gregory’s forgiveness at the fortress of Canossa in 1077?

Answer 13

Henry initially had the support of the German church but a rebellion by the Saxon princes forced him to ask for Gregory’s forgiveness at Canossa in 1077.

Question 14

How was Henry able to force Gregory out of Rome in 1084?

Answer 14

By 1084, Gregory was losing the support of Church supporters and became unpopular with the people of Rome. Henry then forced Gregory out of Rome in 1084, installing Clement III as anti-pope.

Question 15

What did the treaty of Ceprano agree to in 1080?

Answer 15

The treaty of Ceprano (1080) agreed that Duke Robert Guiscard, Duke of Apulia, would support the papacy during the investiture contest. Those who fought would be given the title militia Sancti Petru (the knights of St Peter).

Question 16

When did Gregory begin negotiations with Byzantine Emperor Michael VII to send an army to the East?

Answer 16

In 1073 he had begun negotiations to send an army to the East to help Emperor Michael VII.

Question 17

When did Gregory receive fealty from Richard of Capua and Robert Guiscard?

Answer 17

In 1073, Gregory received fealty from Richard of Capua and Robert Guiscard.

Question 18

Why was Robert Guiscard excommunicated by Gregory VII?

Answer 18

Robert Guiscard was excommunicated by Gregory VII because in 1074 he attacked Prince Landulf VI of Benevento, who had made a treaty with Gregory, during the attack Pandulf (Landulf’s son) was killed.

Question 19

When did Richard of Capua die and what did it allow Gregory to do?

Answer 19

Richard of Capua died in 1078 and allowed Gregory to take oaths of allegiances from Jordan Capua (Richard’s son) and Robert Guiscard – allowing complete reconciliation for Robert.

Question 20

What change in the Byzantine Empire made Robert attack the East?

Answer 20

The appointment of Alexius as Byzantine Emperor in 1081 made Robert attempt to capture Byzantine territories.

Question 21

What places Robert Guiscard able to capture in the Byzantine Empire and why could he not progress?

Answer 21

Robert Guiscard was able to capture Corfu and Valona but was held up at siege in Durazzo which lasted approximately 10 months.

Question 22

What was the four central vows of the rule of St Benedict?

Answer 22

The rule of St Benedict centred on the four main vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and faithfulness.

Question 23

When and why was the abbey at Cluny built?

Answer 23

The abbey at Cluny was built in 909 by William I duke of Aquitaine to atone for a murder he committed.

Question 24

What was innovative about the abbey at Cluny?

Answer 24

The abbey at Cluny was innovative because a charter was granted, giving freedom from lay and bishopric control. This meant the abbot could make his allegiance directly to the pope.

Question 25

How did the abbey at Cluny become a centre for reform?

Answer 25

The abbey at Cluny became a centre of reform because of a desire to have more spiritual church which had become to dominated by the bishops and their secular concerns.

Question 26

By the third century, what was the idea behind pilgrimages?

Answer 26

By the third century, pilgrimages were journeys undertaken to see holy sites and relics connected to the Christian religion.

Question 27

By the tenth Century what were four main sites of pilgrimages?

Answer 27

By the tenth Century, the four main sites of pilgrimages were: St James of Compostela in Spain, St Michael in Monte Garganano, The city of Rome, and The Holy Lands.

Question 28

How did the Cluniac monks develop the idea of pilgrimage?

Answer 28

The Cluniac monks developed the idea of the pilgrimage by suggesting that journeys to these places gained special spiritual merit giving the pilgrim forgiveness for sins committed. This helped to popularise the idea of a pilgrimage.

Question 29

How was the development of reform important in developing participation in the First Crusade?

Answer 29

The development of the reform was important in developing participation in the First Crusade because: the reformers encouraged ordinary Christians to go on pilgrimage to gain merit from God and Jerusalem was highlighted as the centre of the Christian world.