Holy Roman Empire

In the early middle ages, Charlemagne brought France & Germany under his rule
Charlemagne death --> empire dissolved into separate states
936 Duke Otto I of Saxony took title of King of Germany
Successors of Otto took title of “Holy Roman Emperor”
worked closely with the church
Emperors would have conflicts with the Pope over appointment of church officials
Roman because they saw selves as heirs to emperors of ancient Rome
Holy because crowned by pope
HREmperors often decided who became bishops & abbots within their realm
Pope Gregory VII
As Cluny reforms strengthened, however the Pope wants to end this
Determined to make Ch. Independent of secular rulers
Banned practice of lay investiture: where a emperor or lay person (nonmember of clergy) presented bishops with ring & staff that symbolized their office
Claimed only pope had that right