Kate R.
Summary:
A continuous conflict of the middle ages took place between kings and the Christian papacy. This was not a fight between church and state, but a power struggle between monarchs and popes. This animosity was visible in the appointments of bishops, which had become a reward for wealthy families in many territories. The opinions of each side are made clear trough many letters between Emperors and Popes as well as documents such as the Donation of Constantine.
In a letter to Emperor Anastasius I, Pope Gelasius I states that there are two powers by which the world is ruled, the “sacred authority of priesthood and the royal power” (3.2). At first, it seems that he is trying to reach a truce between the papacy and monarchy. However Gelasius continues on to say that a king must bow down to the church since they have control over divine affairs. This is a thinly veiled threat that if a king does not heed the authority of the church he will not achieve salvation. A century later Gregory the Great discusses the power of the Pope’s position. He focuses on St. Peter’s presence within his successors. Gregory uses scripture to outline Peter’s accomplishments and his importance in founding the Church. This claim is meant to unite the current Popes with the strong figures of the past, and emphasize the divine connection within the papacy. Pope Leo also emphasizes the connection between the Pope and St. Peter. In response to the Petrian Theory, Leo states that St. Peter is “the head of all the churches of the world” (Col 881). The implication is that if Popes have a connection to St. Peter they must have sanction over all the churches of the world just as he did.
Another document used by the church to establish authority was The Donation of Constantine. The document dramatizes the role of Sylvester, the Bishop of Rome, in the cleansing of Constantine’s leprosy. Sylvester led Constantine’s followers in prayers, vigils and fasts which allowed Constantine to obtain God’s pardon. The document claims that Sylvester, and through him church, is responsible for enlightening Constantine to God’s way. It states “we ordain and decree that the pope shall have the supremacy…over all the churches of God in the whole world” (section 12). This statement gave the papacy control over the whole empire which caused great conflict. It was later revealed that this document was a forgery and was actually written in the 8th century in an attempt to support papal primacy.
In Letter to Gregory VII Henry IV addresses the Pope by his birth name Hildebrand. This is a prominent statement that Henry does not recognize Gregory as a pope and that his appointment was not approved by God. Henry continues to accuse Gregory of undermining the church by interfering with the appointment of bishops and of abusing his power. Henry’s use of the word “us” is meant to symbolize that he is on the side of the people and that Gregory is wronging all of them. The heavy use of scripture is meant to reinforce Henry’s stance and emphasize that he is in God’s favor. In response Gregory excommunicates Henry IV, in a letter to one of his supporters he justify his actions. He reminds the recipient, Hermann of Metz, that kings have been excommunicated before so it should not be affronting. In the letter, Gregory’s core argument is that by refusing to heed the church Henry is refusing God’s will. This implication represents the church’s desire for papal primacy and belief that kings should heed the will of the church.
The argument between Boniface VIII and King Philip IV began when Philip taxed his people, including the clergy, in preparation for war. This angered Boniface who believed that the king had no control over the clergy. He threatened Philip with the excommunication of him and all of his followers. This decree was met with a common sequence of events; the pope excommunicated Philip and in response the king declared that Boniface was a heretic and also halted any shipments of gold to the church. Boniface argues that earthly power is the lesser sword of God and that those who possess earthly power will be judged by the spiritual power of the church. Philip’s councilor responds by accusing the pope of being a murderer and a Sodomite.
Summary:
A continuous conflict of the middle ages took place between kings and the Christian papacy. This was not a fight between church and state, but a power struggle between monarchs and popes. This animosity was visible in the appointments of bishops, which had become a reward for wealthy families in many territories. The opinions of each side are made clear trough many letters between Emperors and Popes as well as documents such as the Donation of Constantine.
In a letter to Emperor Anastasius I, Pope Gelasius I states that there are two powers by which the world is ruled, the “sacred authority of priesthood and the royal power” (3.2). At first, it seems that he is trying to reach a truce between the papacy and monarchy. However Gelasius continues on to say that a king must bow down to the church since they have control over divine affairs. This is a thinly veiled threat that if a king does not heed the authority of the church he will not achieve salvation. A century later Gregory the Great discusses the power of the Pope’s position. He focuses on St. Peter’s presence within his successors. Gregory uses scripture to outline Peter’s accomplishments and his importance in founding the Church. This claim is meant to unite the current Popes with the strong figures of the past, and emphasize the divine connection within the papacy. Pope Leo also emphasizes the connection between the Pope and St. Peter. In response to the Petrian Theory, Leo states that St. Peter is “the head of all the churches of the world” (Col 881). The implication is that if Popes have a connection to St. Peter they must have sanction over all the churches of the world just as he did.
Another document used by the church to establish authority was The Donation of Constantine. The document dramatizes the role of Sylvester, the Bishop of Rome, in the cleansing of Constantine’s leprosy. Sylvester led Constantine’s followers in prayers, vigils and fasts which allowed Constantine to obtain God’s pardon. The document claims that Sylvester, and through him church, is responsible for enlightening Constantine to God’s way. It states “we ordain and decree that the pope shall have the supremacy…over all the churches of God in the whole world” (section 12). This statement gave the papacy control over the whole empire which caused great conflict. It was later revealed that this document was a forgery and was actually written in the 8th century in an attempt to support papal primacy.
In Letter to Gregory VII Henry IV addresses the Pope by his birth name Hildebrand. This is a prominent statement that Henry does not recognize Gregory as a pope and that his appointment was not approved by God. Henry continues to accuse Gregory of undermining the church by interfering with the appointment of bishops and of abusing his power. Henry’s use of the word “us” is meant to symbolize that he is on the side of the people and that Gregory is wronging all of them. The heavy use of scripture is meant to reinforce Henry’s stance and emphasize that he is in God’s favor. In response Gregory excommunicates Henry IV, in a letter to one of his supporters he justify his actions. He reminds the recipient, Hermann of Metz, that kings have been excommunicated before so it should not be affronting. In the letter, Gregory’s core argument is that by refusing to heed the church Henry is refusing God’s will. This implication represents the church’s desire for papal primacy and belief that kings should heed the will of the church.
The argument between Boniface VIII and King Philip IV began when Philip taxed his people, including the clergy, in preparation for war. This angered Boniface who believed that the king had no control over the clergy. He threatened Philip with the excommunication of him and all of his followers. This decree was met with a common sequence of events; the pope excommunicated Philip and in response the king declared that Boniface was a heretic and also halted any shipments of gold to the church. Boniface argues that earthly power is the lesser sword of God and that those who possess earthly power will be judged by the spiritual power of the church. Philip’s councilor responds by accusing the pope of being a murderer and a Sodomite.