
Exam #3 Review Sheet
Chapter 9
1. What are the aspects of the 12th century Renaissance?
The 12th century renaissance was accompanied by a revival of intellectual and cultural life.
Revival of classical literature and philosophy including the works of Aristotle. Europeans begin to think
in new more rigorous ways about problems in theology, philosophy, and law. Fueled by the emergence
and rapid growth of universities and widespread primary schooling. New literary forms emerge.
Vernacular lyric poetry, extended allegories, and romances
2. What was Cluny?
A Benedictine monastery, founded in 910 in Burgundy by a pious, whose reform ideology tried to
separate its network of religious houses from control by lay people. It had two important constitutional
innovations; one was that to keep it free from domination by local noble families or the local bishop,
Cluny was placed directly under the protection of the papacy. The second was that it undertook the
reform or foundation of a large number of daughter monasteries.
3. What was the Investiture Conflict? What was it about?
The Investiture conflict was between Pope Gregory VII and King Henry IV. It was over whether a
king or layperson had the power to appoint a bishop. Raises questions about Christian kingship and the
relationship between political and religious authority. The conflict brought a permanent end to the old
Carolingian traditions of sacred kingship and establishes distinction between authority of church and
that of lay rulers. Gregory excommunicates Henry and asks his people to rebel. Henry’s Nobles rebel
against him and conflict cumulates at the confrontation at Canossa, which is a castle in Italy where
Henry publicly humiliates himself and asks for Gregory’s forgiveness. The Concordat of Worms ended
the conflict. Establishes distinction between church and state.
4. What made Pope Innocent III so powerful?
Elected at age 30, he was one of the youngest and most vigorous individuals ever to be raised to
the papacy; more than that, he was expertly trained in theology and had also studied canon law. His
major goal was to unify all Christendom under papal hegemony and thereby bring about the “right order
in the world.” In Germany, he engineered the triumph of his own candidate for the imperial office, the
emperor Frederick II—a triumph his papal successors would live to regret The crowning achievement of
Innocent’s pontificate was the summoning of the Fourth Lateran Council to Rome in 1215.
5. Who was St. Francis of Assisi? What was the religious theme in his ministry? What was his monastic
order?
St. Francis was part of the Franciscan order. It emphasized emotional fervor. Renounced all his
property and became a servant of the poor. Preached salvation without official approval in town squares
and ministered to outcasts in all corners of Italian cities. Is indifferent to doctrine, form and ceremony
except when it came to the Holy Eucharist. Eventually gains support of pope Innocent III. After this it
became more organized but maintained the values of “apostolic living.”