Lecture 32: Papal Revolution

Papal Revolution

Lecture 32

T

he era of great building projects and military expeditions was also

an era in which the role of the papacy was asserted more forcefully

than ever before, both as a political and a religious power. The papacy

of the 12th and 13th centuries was also intimately involved with changes

internal to the life of the church. Reform of the secular clergy was needed,

and new forms of religious organization less committed to stability and

contemplation were required. In this lecture, we will examine the increased

role of the papacy as illustrated through the careers of two popes (Gregory

VII and Innocent III), and we will learn of the founders of two new and

active religious orders (Saint Dominic and Saint Francis).

Gregory VII

•    In the last quarter of the 11th century, Gregory VII (c. 1020–1085;

r. 1073–1085) was the key figure in the ascendancy of the papacy

and the aggressive assertion of its powers in both temporal and

spiritual matters.

•    His life before becoming pope shows that Hildebrand (his given

name) was strongly committed to monastic ideals but was also a

skillful political infighter within the papal court.

o Born in southern Tuscany, he studied first at a Roman

monastery, then stayed at Cluny. When Abbot Bruno of Cluny

was elected Pope Leo IX, Hildebrand joined him in Rome as

deacon and papal administrator.

o He served as a legate successively to Leo IX, Victor II, and

Stephen IX; he organized the troops to overthrow the antipope

Benedict X and was elected archdeacon of the Roman church

in 1058.

o He was the power behind the throne during the papacy of

Alexander II (1061), who had been elected by the cardinals