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Feudal System. Feudalism was a system based on weak kings needing to control warring nobles. Since he could not control the nobles through force he used a system of reciprocal benefits and obligations. Feudal System. ￭ The King owned all the land in the country, but he could not defend it.
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Feudal System Feudalism was a system based on weak kings needing to control warring nobles. Since he could not control the nobles through force he used a system of reciprocal benefits and obligations.
Feudal System ￭ The King owned all the land in the country, but he could not defend it. ￭ He would lease land to men he could trust. This land is also called a fief. ￭ before they were given any land these lords (barons) had to swear an oath to remain faithful to the King at all times. □ In return for the fief the lord was now the king’s vassal
Lords The Barons land was also called a fief, from the word fee. These lords were given complete control of the land they leased. Barons established their own system of justice, minted their own money and set their own taxes.
Lords • In return for the land the Barons become the kings vassal. • had to serve on the royal council, • pay rent • provide the King with Knights for military service when he demanded it. • The Barons kept as much of their land as they wished for their own use, then divided the rest among their Knights.
The Church in the Feudal System • In the Middle Ages the Church looked to the new Barbarian lords for protection. • These lords, since many clergy were well educated, often asked the leaders of the Church, Bishops & Abbots, to administer large tracts of land for them or to work directly for the king’s administration. • In return these bishops or abbots were given large fiefs under their control
The Church in the Feudal System • These fiefs were sources of great wealth • Secular lords wanted this wealth more directly under their control • They began to appoint the bishops and abbots of these fiefs • This practice is called “lay investiture” • Lay Investiture was begun by Charlemagne to help him rule his Empire. • Their sons, vassals, or the highest bidder would become leaders of the Church
Abuses of “Secular” Churchmen • Many Bishops/Abbots, as secular lords, were more interested in wealth, power, and pleasure than evangelization and administering justice • Abuses • Many had mistresses and children • Simony: Church positions were being sold • Absenteeism: Many Church leaders were absent from their diocese or monastery. • Pluralism: Many accumulated many positions
Emperor Reformers • Emperor Henry III • Church again needs a temporal protector • Restored Papacy by taking it out of the Roman Nobilities control. 1046 three men claimed to be pope. Henry deposed all three and established a German bishop as Pope
Lay Investiture Controversy • Question: Who should appoint bishops/abbots? • Problem: No separation between Church and State in society. • To effectively rule, kings needed to interfere in Church affairs. • Bishops/Abbots were powerful lords as well as spiritual leaders. • The concept of king as spiritual head of Christendom had been accepted since Pepin.
Monastic Reform • Church had difficulty reforming when its leadership was controlled by secular lords. • Every new monastery was a chance at renewal. Not yet controlled by local lords. • Example: Monastery of Cluny in Burgundy • established by Count William of Auvergne • set up as the property of the Pope to keep it out of secular lords control.
Monk Reformers • New Abbots brought back Rule of Benedict • Prophets of Righteousness against the abuses of Lords against the poor. • This moral authority began to bring the barbarian war culture back into line with Christian morals.
Papal Reform: 1074 Dictatus Papae • Pope Gregory VII (A Cluniac monk) • Power of Papacy • Convene and ratify a Church Council • Define the Faith • Appoint, transfer, remove bishops • Subjects could bring charges against temporal rulers before the pope to judge • Costly fines for simony • Bishop/abbot through simony, position removed • Priest who fornicates, stripped of power to say Mass
1074 Dictatus Papae • Pope Gregory VII • Power of Papacy (Continued) • Power to Depose temporal rulers. (logical conclusion: I have power to anoint a king/emperor I have power to remove him) This thought goes back to time of Pepin, but had never been explicitly stated by the Pope or used by the Church. In the past the power of moral denunciation was used to bring a ruler back in line.
The Battle of Wills • Emperor Henry IV immediately challenged Pope Gregory VII by appointing the bishop of Milan • Gregory declared Henry deposed as emperor and excommunicated him • Bishops/Abbots controlled 2/3 of land in Germany. Excommunicated, he lost 2/3 of taxes and military power.
Reconciliation • He went to Pope Gregory for forgiveness • Winter 1077 Henry IV arrives at Pope’s residence barefoot in the snow and sackcloth. Gregory refused to meet with him for three days. • Abbot Hugh of Cluny arrived and reminded the Pope that a penitent could not be turned away. • Confession/Forgiveness/Restored as Emperor
Reprisal • A year latter Henry IV installed an anti-pope Clement III • Brought his army to Rome to depose Pope Gregory VII, • Gregory fled and hid in southern Italy where he died in exile.
