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THE MAKING OF EUROPE / EARLY EUROPEAN HISTORY

From Hutton Webster's, Early European History (1917); edited for this on-line publication, by ELLOPOS

XVI. THE PAPACY AND THE HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE, 962-1273 A.D.

Em. Macron, Rediscovering the Path to Europe

» Contents of this Chapter

Characteristics of the Medieval Church   * Church Doctrine and Worship   * Church Jurisdiction   * The Secular Clergy   * The Regular Clergy   * The Friars   * Power of the Papacy   * Popes and Emperors, 962-1122 A.D.   * Popes and Emperors, 1122-1273 A.D.   * Significance of the Medieval Church

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THE PAPAL LEGATES

The authority of the pope was commonly exercised by the "legates," [29] whom he sent out as his representatives at the various European courts. These officers kept the pope in close touch with the condition of the Church in every part of western Europe. A similar function is performed in modern times by the papal ambassadors known as "nuncios."

[29] Latin legatus, "deputy."

THE CARDINALS

For assistance in government the pope made use of the cardinals, [30] who formed a board, or "college." At first they were chosen only from the clergy of Rome and the vicinity, but in course of time the pope opened the cardinalate to prominent churchmen in all countries. The number of cardinals is now fixed at seventy, but the college is never full, and there are always ten or more "vacant hats," as the saying goes. The cardinals, in the eleventh century, received the right of choosing a new pope. A cardinal ranks above all other church officers. His dignity is indicated by the red hat and scarlet robe which he wears and by the title of "Eminence" applied to him.

[30] Latin cardinalus, "principal."

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THE MAKING OF EUROPE / EARLY EUROPEAN HISTORY: Table of Contents

url: www.ellopos.net/politics/european-history/default.asp

IN PRINT

Cf. The Ancient Greece * The Ancient Rome
Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium) * Western Medieval Europe * Renaissance in Italy