Laurence Fairchild
#2 Development and Interactions of Cultures, Religion, Belief Systems, Science & Technology, Philosophy, Art & Architecture
The relationship of Holy Roman Emperors, the Popes and Regional States.
The Establishment of Regional States -After the fall of the Roman empire many Europeans became inspired and wanted centralized government embracing Christian Europe. -German princes formed the Holy Roman Empire, which was viewed as the Christian revival of the earlier Roman Empire. -When medieval emperors tried to spread their thoughts they were faced with disagreement from the popes and princes from other European lands. -During this time their were also many independent feudal monarchies spread all over France and England and other local authorities ruled over regions of Italy and Spain. -The different states and personal views caused many battles between lands and created problems from within. The Holy Roman Empire - After the fall of the Carolingian Empire during the ninth century, counts dukes, and other local authorities gained responsibility for providing order in their select regions. Overtime some of the small rulers extended their beliefs and influence and built larger city states. - Otto of Saxony, a local authority who was aggressive and ruthless had declared himself king of northern Germany. He campaigned South East, past the Elbe and Danube Rivers and even down in to Italy where he wanted to help the church and look for new opportunities. - In reward for his aid to the church Pope John XII proclaimed Otto emperor, creating the Holy Roman Empire. - An imperial title means serious power and on some occasions emperors almost transformed the Holy Roman Empire in to a dominant state that might have reintroduced unity in Europe. - Conflict with the Papacy(the Popes authority) prevented the emperors from forming a strong and united state. - Although the Pope crowned the medieval emperors they did not like each other. -This Feud between the Popes and Emperors was because they could not decide who should have the power. Roman Catholic was the dominant religion throughout Europe at the time and the Pope was a major influence on almost everyone, but citizens also wanted to stay loyal to their ruler. |
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Investiture Contest
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Frederick Barbarossa
- Popes and Emperors argued over conflicting interests in Italy.
- One medieval emperor, Frederick I wanted to gain the wealthy and urban region of Lombardy in Northern Italy.
- If he was able to gain Lombardy then merge it with his already existing German Empire then he would be able to dominate much of Europe.
- This did not appeal to the popes, so eventually the papal coalition forced the emperor to give up his rights in Lombardy.
- Popes and Emperors argued over conflicting interests in Italy.
- One medieval emperor, Frederick I wanted to gain the wealthy and urban region of Lombardy in Northern Italy.
- If he was able to gain Lombardy then merge it with his already existing German Empire then he would be able to dominate much of Europe.
- This did not appeal to the popes, so eventually the papal coalition forced the emperor to give up his rights in Lombardy.
Regional States in England, France, and Italy
France - Without an effective imperial rule regional states emerged throughout medieval Europe. In France and England princes established regional monarchies based off of feudal relationship. - When the last Carolingian died the feudal lords of France elected a minor noble named Hugh Capet to serve as king. - Capet did not have much land or power so he was not able to challenge his vassals. - Over the next three centuries his descendants slowly added to their resources and expanded their influence. - By the early fourteenth century the Capetian Kings had centralized power in France. England - The Normans founded the English monarchy. - The Dukes of Normandy were subject to Carolingian and later the Capetian rules. They pursued their own interests and didn't care for their feudal lords. - They built a tightly centralized state in which all power came from the Dukes. - In 1066 Duke William of Normandy invaded England then ruled by descendants of the Saxons, Angles and other Germanic people. - After their victory, the Duke, known as William the Conqueror, introduced Norman-style feudalism to England. - The Norman Kings of England ruled over a more centralized realm than the Capetian Kings of France. Italy - As regional states began to emerge in France and England, it did in Italy as well. - They were more city-states than regional states. - The Popes controlled much of central Italy, known as the Papal State. - By the twelfth century many city states like Florence, Milan, and Venice dominated. - In southern Italy Normans conquered the territories claimed the Byzantine empire. With help from the Pope it turned into the powerful kingdom of Naples. - There were also many regional states in Iberia (Spain) created by Muslims. |
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