Leaders and Events of the Middle Age that made Popes and Kings Powerful

Charlemagne

768

Charlemagne was born in 768 after his father died. This lead to Charlemagne coming into power. When he came into power, he brought Christianity to his people which then lead to the rise of him as a leader and to papacy through Christianity.

Charlemagne Invades the Lombards

773

In the year 773, the pope asked Charlemagne to invade the Lombards. The Lombards were apart of the northern Italian Kingdom. When Charlemagne conquered the Lombards, he made himself the king of the Lombards. This was unusual at the time since people did not usually become kings of other clans. However, this did prove the power that rose in kings at this time. It also proved the powerful bond between kings and popes.

Charlemagne is Crowned Holy Emperor

800

In the year 800, Charlemagne was crowned Holy Emperor by Pope Leo III. This was a large deal because it hadn't happened in hundreds of years, but also established the precedent that to be emperor, it had to be done through the pope.

Vikings Settled and turned to Christianity

911

Prior to the year 911, Vikings were notorious for ransacking people and kingdoms for their riches. The people settled down closer to the year 911, however. This turned them into Christianity and made the kings and popes more powerful. Popes gained more followers, more kings were created of the Vikings, and other kings around no longer had to worry about the threatening Vikings.

Otto I became Roman Emperor

962

Again, like Charlemagne, King Otto I became Roman Emperor after Charlemagne died. King Otto I was made Holy Roman Emperor by the pope at that time, again further establishing the precedent of needing to be appointed by the pope. This furthered the power of both the king and the pope because they worked side by side. Popes had to appoint the emperor, but could also choose who they thought was best.

Education Expands

1000

In the year 1000, education begins to expand to more people. This meant that priests and kingsmen became better educated as well as some common people. If people received an education it was through some type of church as well. This brought power to the popes because the popes could control what was taught.

The First Crusades

1095

The First Four Crusades occurred from 1095-1099. The Crusades were done to gain control of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. By 1099, they did just that. The Crusaders took control of the territory, and there was the creation of more Christian lands. This brought power to the Pope because he proved to have loyal followers of God and him and gained more land that was dedicated to Christianity.

The Black Death Arrives

1348

In the year 1348, The Black Death arrived, or the plague. The plague was due to uncleanliness and weakened immune systems of famished people, but it was believed to be because of God. The belief was that God was punishing the people. This proved the deep Christianity and proved how much power the Pope held as leader of the Catholic church.

Joan of Arc

1429

Joan of Arc was a peasant girl who received a vision from God. Her vision told her to help France to victory. Because Joan received a vision from God, she felt obligated to help her people. Her people also believed her because they were Christian believing people who respected Joan simply because her vision was from God. This dedication to the Christian faith brought more power to the pope by having his people and also the French leaders because of what Joan did to help in the 100 years war.

Eugene IV Returns Papacy to Rome

1431

There was a period of time where the Papacy moved away from Rome. During this, there were multiple popes making the Great Western Schism. However, Eugene IV returned the papacy back to Rome and took back complete power of the Catholic Church.