era+8+era+4

**In the early Middle Ages the Church spread its influence, causing an increase in power across Europe. Monarchs became more powerful as well. By 1077, explosive conflicts arrived between secular rulers and Church officials. After Charlemagne died, the empire split into a number of separate states. Duke Otto I then became the king of Germany. Later on, Otto’s successors took the title of Holy Roman emperor.** **There was soon a conflict between the Pope and the Emperor. In 1054 Henry IV was crowned kind of Germany, then became the Holy Roman emperor. At the time Gregory VII was pope. Quite a few medieval Europeans liked Pope Gregory VII, he organized a lot of changes in the Church. The pop banned the practice of lay investiture. Which is an appointment of bishops by anyone who is not a member of the clergy. After the pope did that, there were a lot of angry responses from the Holy Roman emperor, Henry IV. The two wrote back and forth many insulting letters. Well at the same time, German princes went against Henry and were supporting the pope. In 1076, Gregory officially excluded Henry, while freeing their commitment to the emperor. Then the pope went north to crown the new emperor. Henry was then forced to make peace. In January 1077, he expressed his regret to the pope, but Gregory knew he was only trying to save his thrown. The pope was a priest, which meant he had no choice but to forgive. Henry then came back to Germany, and took revenge on Gregory by leading an army to Rome and forcing the pope to exile. This struggle over investiture lasted for about 50 years. In 1122, both sides accepted a treaty, that said the the Church had the power to elect and invest bishops with spiritual authority.** **The pope and the emperors conflict was probably seen by the people of Europe. This could influence the people to look down on them, or go against them, or even influence other countries not to trust them. If they can’t even stay civil in their own village, what should make the other villages think they can be civil? Their relationship was not a good reflection of themselves, unless the people saw it as no big deal. Even though conflict often occurs, and reflects their cultures, it can be good and bad.**
 * During the early Middle Ages, the goal was to convert the variety of people in Western Europe to Christianity. During the late Middle Ages, anyone who didn’t belong to the church community were looked at with suspicion. Being looked at with that suspicion could cause conflict with some people.**