The Roman Catholic Church In The High Middle Ages

Lens 1 - History of Ideas During much of the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church was the most important aspect in one’s life. Sacraments and worship were essential elements in the lives of peasants. However, religious dominance was threatened as countries began to secularize. The political centralization that occurred in the High Middle Ages was precedent for the change in the relationship between church and state. Prompted by taxation of the clergy and the consequent retaliation to and disdain towards papal decrees by both France and Spain, Pope Boniface VIII issued the bull, Unam Sanctam, in 1302. Unam Sanctam asserted spiritual authority over kings and knights, stating that the “temporal sword” is to be used “by the hands of kings and soldiers, but at
the will and sufferance of the priest.” The Pope’s anger and frustration towards Philip IV’s and Edward I’s disregard of the Roman Catholic Church is evident in his declaration, insisting that the people are “urged by faith” and “obliged” to believe in the Church’s power and infallibility. Similarly, the Pope proclaims temporal affairs “inferior” to spiritual ones, essentially declaring government “ought to be subordinated to” the Church. Papal authority had rarely before been questioned, hence Boniface’s disbelief and vexation at the actions of Spain and France. A more secular way of thinking had begun to take root in the Western world, allowing monarchs to attempt the previously inconceivable: challenge the Church and the Pope.

Lens 2 - Great Man Theory The Middle Ages was a time in which the Roman Catholic Church was by far the most dominant institution in the Western world.
Popes were heralded as the voice of God and thus, considered infallible. The Church was not to be questioned or its authority challenged. However, Philip the IV relentlessly attacked the Church after being denied the ability to tax the clergy. He then cut off the Church from the wealth of France by denying the export of money to Rome, forcing Boniface to repeal previous decrees. Continued tension between the French government and the Church eventually led to Unam Sanctam, a bull written by Boniface. In a petulant manner, Boniface insisted that the Church “surpasses in dignity and in nobility any temporal power.” Despite the bold claims made by Boniface, Unam Sanctam was a futile attempt to regain the power slipping away from the papacy. Philip the IV’s deeds greatly influenced the beginning of the shift in power from the church to the state. The humiliation of Boniface weakened the Church and prevented any further papal interference with the state. Philip was victorious in the skirmish between the temporal and spiritual, undermining the Church and paving the way for a more secular
future.