Power Politics of the Western Church (1100 CE – 1500 CE)
Discover the high medieval Church at the peak of its power and in its deepest crisis. This era saw Innocent III humble kings, the Avignon exile shake papal prestige, and the Western Schism divide Christendom - yet also produced cathedrals, universities, and saints.
History: 1100-1500 CE
Triumph, Crisisand Renewal
The thirteenth century marked the zenith of medieval papal power. Innocent III placed England under interdict, presided over the Fourth Lateran Council, and claimed authority over all Christian rulers. The mendicant orders - Franciscans and Dominicans - renewed religious life, while the great cathedrals and universities testified to the Church's cultural leadership.
Yet crisis followed triumph. The clash between Boniface VIII and Philip IV of France ended in humiliation at Anagni. The popes retreated to Avignon for seventy years, and when they returned to Rome, a disputed election sparked the Western Schism. For nearly forty years, two and then three men claimed to be pope, scandalising the faithful.
The Council of Constance healed the schism and elected Martin V. The Renaissance popes who followed rebuilt Rome, patronised the arts, and prepared for a new age - though their worldliness would soon provoke the Protestant challenge. The medieval Church ended as it had begun: facing both crisis and opportunity.
At a Glance
Innocent III
The most powerful pope in history presided over the Fourth Lateran Council and made emperors and kings submit to papal authority.
The Avignon Papacy
For seventy years the popes resided in France, weakening papal independence and provoking calls for reform.
The Council of Constance
The great council ended the Western Schism, restored unity, and demonstrated the Church's capacity for renewal.
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The end of the 11th century and the start of the 12th century was a watershed for the Catholic Church. Major changes in the European and Near Eastern political landscape had far-reaching implications for Catholics of the period. Below is a timeline highlighting some of the highlights of the period, which affected the Catholic Church and the principal theologians and popes of the day.
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13th century
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In some respects, the 13th century is thought by historians to be the apogee of the High Middle Ages. The Crusades were in full flow, helping build the sea powers of Venice and Genoa and fuelling the early days of the Reconquista in Spain. The papacy was at the height of its political and financial influence, with figures such as Innocent III wielding considerable religious power, often to the detriment of groups such as the Waldensians and new movements such as the Cathars.
14th century
The Catholic Church in the 14th Century: A Timeline of Key Events
The 14th century (1301-1400) was a period of significant upheaval and change across the globe. Key events include the Great Famine, the Black Death, the Hundred Years' War, and various political and social shifts in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. It also marked a period of immense upheaval in the Catholic Church. The papacy's relocation to Avignon between 1309 and 1377, sometimes called the Babylonian Captivity, and which contributed to the Western Schism (1378-1417), significantly diminished the office's prestige and authority as it increasingly came under the influence of the French monarchy.
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The High Medieval Church
From Innocent III's triumph to Martin V's restoration of unity, these four centuries witnessed the medieval Church at both its greatest and its most troubled.
Browse the articles below to explore the papal monarchy, the mendicant orders, the Avignon papacy, and the resolution of the Western Schism.
“Nothing that is of God is obtainable by money.”
FL
Fourth Lateran Council
Condemning simony, 1215
Through Every Storm
The medieval Church endured crisis and emerged renewed. The Western Schism seemed catastrophic, yet the Church survived and continued her mission. This history reminds us that Christ's promise endures.