Impact and influence of the Catholic Church on Medieval Europe.

Charlemagne's Crowning

800

The crowning of Frankish King Charlemagne by Pope Leo II established an era of friendship between the Catholic Church and various European nations. By forming important alliances with kings and emperors, including Charlemagne, the Catholic Church gained incredible influence in Medieval Europe.

The Great Schism

1054

The Great Schism effectively separated the Churches of the Eastern and Western Roman Empires. From this separation, the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches emerged. With the proper differentiation of the Roman Catholic Church, the Catholic Church was able to fully establish itself and thus gain more power and influence over medieval Europeans.

First Crusade called by Pope Urban II

1096

In 1096, Pope Urban II called the first crusades (The First Crusade and The People's Crusade). Though The People's Crusade was a failure (as the Crusaders were defeated by the Seljuk Turks), the people of The First Crusade were victorious, establishing the Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem. The official religion of the Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem would become Roman Catholicism, evidently giving the Catholic Church control of the Holy Land.

The Crusades

Period: 1096 to 1291

Throughout 1096 through 1291, several Crusades were initiated by the Catholic Popes. Though some of these Crusades were unsuccessful, they brought incredible feelings of pride in religion for medieval Europeans. By starting and continuing the Crusades, the Catholic Church distracted people from paying attention to their ever-increasing power and influence over medieval life.

Sacking of Constantinople

1204

In 1204, during the Fourth Crusade, the Eastern city of Constantinople was sacked. Instead of focusing on retaking the Holy Land, the Crusaders changed routes and sacked Constantinople. Constantinople was an incredibly vital city to the Byzantine Empire, and without it, it was devastatingly weakened. This left a power vacuum for the Catholic Church to take and therefore overpower the Eastern Orthodoxy.

Establishing of the Dominicians

1216

In 1216, the Dominicians were established. The Dominicians were groups of Roman Catholics that were created to combat heresy. The establishment of the Domincians allowed the Catholic Church to suppress oppression, strengthening the power of the Church.

Establishing of Papal Inquisition by Pope Gregory IX

1228

After the establishment of groups like the Dominicians, the establishment of the Papal Inquisitions by Pope Gregory IX officially managed the punishment of heresy. The Papal Inquisitions further allowed the Pope and Catholic Church to suppress anyone who questioned/altered the Church's beliefs and practices.

Issuing of the "Unam Sanctum"

Nov 18, 1302

The Unam Sanctum, a papal bull, was issued by Pope Boniface VIII on 1302. The Unam Sanctum established the Popes supreme power over the state. Though the Unam Sanctum was likely disputed by members of the state, it allowed the Catholic Church to exert more power over the citizens of Europe.

Papacy returned to Rome

1377

After decades of the Avignon Papacy (the papacy was moved to Avignon, France due to safety concerns), Pope Gregory XI returned the papacy to Rome. The decision to move the papacy to Avignon was controversial, with many calling for it to be brought back. Although the returning of the papacy to Rome would bring about the devastating Western Schism, Pope Gregory XI listening to the people allowed the people to put more trust into the Catholic Church and Pope.

Council of Constance

1417

In 1417, the Council of Constance effectively ended the Western Schism. The Western Schism was another fragmentation of the Church, with three different popes serving. In 1417, this schism was ended, and Martin V was elected as Pope in the Council of Constance. The end of the Western Schism marked a time in which the Church became more united, allowing the Church to properly demonstrate their power and authority once more.