Political+Post+Classical+Europe

Political Power of the Church in Postclassical - part 1 - Ava G

In Postclassical Europe, the church had a significant role in politics. The church first gained power politically after the fall of Rome. They filled the power void, and ended up conflicting with the other political force (state). With their political power the church ended up converting almost all Europeans to Christianity. In 800 CE, the Holy Roman Empire was created by a man called Charlemagne, which covered France and Germany. Charlemagne tried to revitalize religion based education, but then died, leaving the Holy Roman Empire to collapse. The end of the Holy Roman Empire was caused by Charlemagne’s death and his failure of a succession system, which split the power three ways between his three sons. This system failed to give strong leaders to the empire, and it ended up only being a temporary solution to Western Europe’s lack of a strong political system.

part 2 - by Emun Emun Solomon  Medieval Europe

Politics within Medieval Europe:
After the decline of the Roman empire in 5th C. Church filled power void


 * Church in 5th Century:**
 * Preserved some literacy/learning
 * Performed some civil services
 * Conflict emerging political powers
 * Convert rest of Europe - Christianity
 * Pope
 * Bishop
 * Rise of State:**
 * Charlemagne + HRE
 * Around 800 CE
 * Establish larger empire (Holy Roman Empire)
 * France + Germany + Italy - Conquests
 * Restored education
 * Church based Education systems
 * Succession:
 * 3 grandsons, split empire between them
 * Merging Christian and classical claims


 * Priests and Feudal monarchy **


 * Originally was purely Feudalism but slowly was pushed toward and experimenting monarchy/bureaucratic administration.
 * William the Conqueror


 * FIRST CRUSADE **
 * 1095 - Pope Urban the 2nd
 * Muslims - Attacking Byzantines
 * Obtain land, Loot
 * Remission of sins
 * Adventure/Crime reduction
 * RESULTS
 * New trade links, ideas
 * Temporarily conquered land
 * Long term grudge held between states.


 * Magna Carta parliament**


 * Magna Carta - 1215 King John
 * Checked the monarch from absolute power to nobles, laws, taxes
 * Provided rights:
 * Parliament
 * A council presented the Three Key estates: church, nobles and regular people
 * Checked monarchs and had a major voice in law
 * Relation: They helped form stable government.

Over all, politics in Medieval Europe was a struggle between church and state.