The History of Christianity: From the Disciples to the Dawn of the Reformation

Lecture 32: Papal Revolution

suspected of heresy), but because of their great learning and

dedication, both Dominicans and Franciscans were used by the

papacy as agents of inquisition.

o Like the Franciscans, the Dominican order produced great

theologians, including Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274), and

great mystics, including Meister Eckhart (1260–1327), John

Tauler (d. 1361), and Henry Suso (1295–1366).

•    Together, the two mendicant orders not only served as flexible

instruments of papal policy, but they energized evangelization

and the care of the poor. Their commitment to the intellectual life

made them the leading figures in the development of the medieval

universities.

Miller, Power and the Holy in the Age of the Investiture Conflict.

Moore, Pope Innocent III (1160/61–1216).

1. Discuss the political (and moral!) implications of the forgery known as
   the Donation of Constantine.


2. What does the investiture conflict tell us about the increased confidence
   of secular rulers in the West?

Questions to Consider

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