The Papacy Flashcards
Why is the term ‘Papal Monarchy’ expressing a paradox?
It’s an impossible concept (church and state should be distinct) but the sources highlight its reality: popes adopted imperial dress and ceremonial, provided schools and almshouses (secular institutions) and provided military defence through crusades.
They governed the Papal States in an imperial style.
How did the Church bind Europe together?
Europe was united under term ‘Christian People’: the religious orders extended throughout the continent, common learning in the universities (Latin, theology, Canon Law), common discipline ordered by Church Councils and common defence through crusades.
How influential were lay powers in ecclesiastical affairs?
Lay appointment of bishops - secular rulers offering the ring and staff (forwarding their nominees - civil servants).
Churches and monasteries endowed by wealthy laymen - tithes, dues went to benefactors.
Lay influence had geographic disparities, cite some examples.
In England, the monarch’s right to participate in episcopal elections was clear.
In France, royal authority was limited to the north.
According to Hans Küng what was the base of the reform ideology?
Christianity was the activation of memory - going back to the apostolic ideal.
How was papal reform triggered?
The accession of Leo IX as pope (who had backing of Emperor of Henry III) and his recruitment of outstanding reformers to the papacy - Humbert of Silva Candida, Hugh Candidus of San Clemente, Udo (Papal Chancellor), Subdeacon Hildebrand…
In his 5 year tenure, Leo held 11 or 12 synods, name some significant synods and the abuses they aimed to reform.
1049 - Synods of Reims and Mainz.
Aimed to deal with simony, clerical marriage, reasserted the validity of Canon Law and the necessity of canonical election of bishops.
What was Pope Leo able to achieve during his time in office?
Set out a clear reforming agenda, papal authority had been cemented north of the Alps, relations with the Emperor were good and he set the precedent for papally conducted warfare against the Norman menace (despite failure).
What was significant about Pope Stephen IX and his leadership?
He was the first monk to acquire the papal office for years.
He strengthened the monastic position of the Papacy by appointing Peter Damian as Bishop of Ostia and Humbert as Papal Chancellor.
What was significant about the Pontificate of Nicholas II?
It re-enacted the reforming legislation of Leo IX (simony, clerical marriage) but added the prohibition of lay investiture and the decree on papal elections that aimed to remove imperial influence.
What was new about Nicholas II’s papal election decree?
Papal elections were to follow Canon Law: full consultation with bishops, clerks and laity. Essentially saw the creation of a college of cardinals.
How did Pope Gregory VII take reform further, evidence?
His leadership was autocratic - was not afraid to use force to achieve reforms.
He physically extended the papal arm from Rome through legates (acted as vice-regents): Bishop Hugh of Die sent to Gaul in 1075, Bishop Altmann of Passau in Germany in 1080…
What was the ‘Dictatus Pape’ and why was it significant?
Scholars have disputed its purpose - most probably a reinterpretation of Canon Law to define the emergency powers of the papal office to initiate reform.
Significant because it shows the Papacy developing a body of literature (propaganda and acting as a secular body). It gave the pope a quasi-royal position.
What evidence of resistance is there to Gregory’s reforms?
Following decrees, resistance in Passau, Erfurt and Paris.
Liemar of Bremen - an ecclesiastic who hated simony - disliked Gregory’s “bailiffs” enforcing policy in his territory.
Lanfranc of Canterbury: English church was run together with the King.
What was the issue over investiture?
Milan 1075: violence saw the death of Bishop Erlembald and to end the troubles, Henry IV invested Tedald as new archbishop.
Henry’s actions hated by Gregory and he excommunicated Henry at Synod of Worms.
