Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT
That's true, although one slightly amusing fact is that the British Monarch still bears the title "Defender of the Faith" (that's what the "F.D." on British coins stands for). This was a title given to Henry VIII by Pope Leo X in recognition of his having written a book called "Assertio Septem Sacramentorum" ("Defence of the Seven Sacraments") which defended the institution of marriage and the spiritual supremacy of the Pope. Slightly ironic in view of Henry's later split with the Pope over those very issues!
|
that was the whole deal though with Harry right? that he broke off with Rome, began the church of england, placing himself (and all other future monarchs) as the head of the church, therefore putting himself in the place of the pope and giving himself the religious power and right to rule. sort of an endless logic loop.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FlorenceArt
OK, yes, you're right about that. Except that it's true in the context of medieval society, which was a very complex system of powers and counter-powers, based on a network of personal loyalties.
The church was certainly one of the main players in that field, but the authority of the Pope, in practice, was just as limited as the authority of the king, who relied mostly on the good will of his vassals, who themselves relied on their own network.
The king of France was one of the most powerful monarchs of the time, and the king of France, by our standards, was pretty much penniless and powerless.
If I go back to your initial post:
This gives the impression of the church running Europe like Obama runs the U.S. or Sarkozy France, which is completely anachronistic.
I'll make a note of that book, thank you. But of course I have no doubt that the pope at times manipulated the king of France. And at other times, the opposite was true. The balance of power fluctuated, and there was never a complete control of one party over the other.
|
I don't know what to tell you Florence, like I said before, any college level 101 entry to European Studies textbook starts with discussing the church (papacy) in Europe. that book I mentioned will give a good look at the Crusades, the power of the church, the monarchs of several nations and the Templars which were a major player during the time. otherwise, just enter the google phrase I gave you and start reading.