The Light in the Dark Ages

Who was King Charles Martell?

An influential leader who recruited farmers to become soldiers and is credited with saving Christianity after winning the Battle of Tours.

What was the significance of the Battle of Tours?

It stopped the Muslim invasion into Western Europe.

Who was Charlemagne?

A descendant of Charles Martell, considered the greatest king of the Dark Ages, who united Western Europe and restored the Western Roman Empire. Crowned Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas Day, 800 AD, by Pope Leo III.

What contributions did Charlemagne make to education?

The Carolingian Renaissance: A period of renewed focus on education, art, and the copying of sacred texts. Charlemagne put an importance on education and opened Royal schools for the noble class and wanted the average person to have basic education. He even learned to read and write Latin as an adult!

What threat did the Muslims pose to Western Europe?

They spread their teachings rapidly, leading to conflict with Christians, notably at the Battle of Tours.

Who were the Moors?

Muslims from North Africa who invaded Europe during medieval times.

What threat did the Vikings present to Christians in Britain?

They invaded cities, killed many people including monks, and were skilled sailors allowing deep river invasions.

What were the reasons for the Great Schism between the Church in Rome and Constantinople?

Bishops believed they were equal to the Pope, leading to power struggles and theological disagreements.

What is the Filioque Controversy?

A theological disagreement over whether the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone or from the Father and the Son. This was due to the change in wording to the Nicene Creed made by the West. this Leads to a major controversy and the eastern bishops do not and believe they don't have to listen to the Bishop of Rome (Pope)

What was the Peace of God?

(approx. 990 CE): Proclaimed by bishops, this movement sought to protect the inermes (defenseless), including clergy, peasants, women, and church property, from violence.

What was the Truce of God?

(1027 CE): Developed later, this measure sought to limit the number of days fighting was allowed, often restricting violence on weekends (Friday evening to Monday morning) and during holy seasons like Advent and Lent.

Scope: By the mid-11th century, the Truce of God had restricted fighting to only about 80 days a year.

Enforcement: Backed by the threat of excommunication, these movements were influential in establishing order in medieval society and reducing private warfare, particularly in France, before fading as central monarchical power grew.

Who was Pope Leo IX?

A Pope involved in the events leading to the Great Schism.

Pope Gregory VII:

A reformer who fought to end Lay Investiture (the practice of kings/emperors choosing bishops).

Dictatus Papae: Pope Gregory's decree stating that the Church's spiritual power was superior to any king's earthly power.

The Result: This struggle established the early roots of the separation of Church and State, arguing that the Church must be free to govern itself.

Who was Cardinal Humbert?

A cardinal in Constantinople involved in the excommunication event during the Great Schism.

Who was Michael I Cerularius?

The Patriarch of Constantinople who was excommunicated for not following the Pope's dogma.

What role did the Pope have in the West?

The Pope was seen as the leader of Christendom, with bishops acting as princes.

What was the impact of language differences in the Great Schism?

Language barriers between Greek (East) and Latin (West) contributed to misunderstandings and disagreements as well as different philosophies.

What was the impact of authority differences in the Great Schism?

The West looked to the Pope (Papal Primacy- Primacy of Peter) ; the East looked to the Patriarch of Constantinople.

What was the relationship between the Pope and the Frankish Kings?

They became very close, with the Pope seeking political, economic, and military support from the Franks. This marked the "wedding" of Church and State. The Pope gained military protection from the Frankish Kings and later the Holy Roman Emperors , and the Emperor gained religious legitimacy.

What was the first Crusade?

Launched in 1048, it was called by the Byzantine leader for help from the Pope and the Frankish leaders against Muslim invasions.

What was the role of monasteries in medieval life?

Monasteries were centers for learning, medicine, and manuscript production.

Short term effects of the great Schism

The Norman Conquest: In the 1040s, Norman warriors conquered Southern Italy (a Byzantine territory) and began replacing Greek bishops with Latin ones, forcing them to adopt Western customs.

The Liturgical War: In retaliation, Patriarch Michael Cerularius of Constantinople shut down all Latin-speaking churches in the East and condemned the Western use of unleavened bread for the Eucharist, calling it "Jewish" and "lifeless".

The Mutual Excommunications: In July 1054, Pope Leo IX's envoy, Cardinal Humbert, marched into the Hagia Sophia during Mass and placed a Bull of Excommunication on the altar against Cerularius. Cerularius responded by excommunicating the papal legates in return.

Long term effects of the great Schism

Cultural & Linguistic Barriers: By the 7th century, few in the West spoke Greek, and few in the East spoke Latin. This led to mutual incomprehension and "cultural dissonance" where theological terms were often mistranslated or misunderstood.

Political Rivalry: The coronation of Charlemagne as "Emperor of the Romans" in 800 AD was a major turning point. The Byzantines in the East saw themselves as the only true heirs to Rome and viewed the new "Holy Roman Empire" in the West as an outrage and a challenge to their authority.

Theological Disputes (The Filioque): For centuries, the West added the word Filioque ("and the Son") to the Nicene Creed to describe the Holy Spirit. The East rejected this, arguing it was a unilateral change to a foundational document that only an Ecumenical Council could alter.

Papal Primacy vs. Conciliarity: The Pope in Rome claimed Universal Jurisdiction (authority over all Christians) as the successor of St. Peter. The Patriarchs in the East viewed the Pope as "first among equals" but believed major decisions should be made collectively through councils.

Preservation of Culture

During the 'Dark Ages,' monks in monasteries were the primary keepers of literacy. They hand-copied the Bible and ancient Greek/Roman works and writings.

St. Benedict's Rule

Defined by Ora et Labora (Prayer and Work). Monasteries were self-sufficient centers of agriculture, hospitality, and medicine.

Cluny Reform

A movement starting in 910 AD that sought to free monasteries from the influence of corrupt local lords, refocusing on prayer and the Pope.

Outcome of Cluny Reform

Led to priests in the west not being allowed to be married.

Feudalism

The social system where the Church held land and influenced the hierarchy of lords and vassals.

Excommunication

A powerful tool used by Popes to cut off a ruler from the Sacraments, often used to force political leaders and also some religious leaders to comply with Church law.

Simony

The sin of buying or selling Church offices, a major target of the Gregorian reforms.

Koran

Muslim teachings.

The aftermath of the Schism

While 1054 is the official date, the rift became truly permanent only after the Fourth Crusade (1204), when Western knights brutally sacked Constantinople, turning a religious dispute into deep-seated political and cultural hostility.