Pope Gregory the 7th started the Gregorian Reform. Lay control was a corrupt merger between the state and the church, giving unordained men the authority to appoint abbots, bishops, and popes. It became prominent during the 10th and 11th centuries in Europe as feudalism created a noble-centered political atmosphere. The merits of feudalism can be … More How Pope Gregory the 7th Gave the West Liberty
The European Church was hard-pressed with corruption during the 10th and 11th centuries. Lay control infiltrated every church office. While feudalism had its benefits in causing power decentralization, giving lords and vassals increasing prominence and kings less, it also became an obstacle for the church. The lords exercised supreme power over their lands. Monasteries were … More The Corrupt Medieval State and Church Merger and the Insufficient Moderate Reform
William the Conqueror led the Norman Invasion into England. After sequestering power, he implemented two monumental changes that shook the nation. Unlike his predecessors, the changes he implemented did not help the populace. Instead, they assisted in his consolidation of power. After he put the Anglo-Saxon nobles into subjection, William the Conqueror commandeered all the … More How William the Conqueror Changed England
History is littered with great philosophical thinkers, scientists, and theologians. These men contributed to advancing the world, as yearners for knowledge and truth. However, history tends to remember them in second place, giving the true seats of glory to famed men of war and blood brokers. Like Hannibal, Alexander the Great, Napoleon Bonaparte, Julius Caesar, … More William the Conqueror
The 9th and 10th century Viking, Muslim, and Magyar invasions broke the European monarchies. The kings became overwhelmed with attacks reigning in on Europe from all sides. Being spread too thin, their power and influence dwindled to irrelevance as the kings lacked defensive resources. In desperation, the people turned toward local nobles for protection. It … More Feudalism and Manorialism
Emperor Justinian ruled the Byzantine Empire. An economic shift started when Constantine built Constantinople. Gradually, Rome’s power dwindled. When Odoacer conquered the city of Rome—the former military capital of the world—the entire earth shook. Powers shifted and Constantinople led the remaining Eastern Roman Empire, what’s commonly referred to as the Byzantine Empire. Justinian is the … More Procopius on Emperor Justinian
Islam was a religion created by Mohammad (c. 571-632). Before preaching Islam in the Middle East, Mohammad was a camel driver and part-owner of a caravan in modern Saudi Arabia. By his 40s, he stayed in a cave outside Mecca, where the angel Gabriel allegedly appeared to him. Gabriel commanded Mohammad to preach the truth … More Islam and the Koran
England became a central Christian sponsor. The London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) was written in England. They also led the abolitionist movement during the 1800s and sent out many missionaries throughout the ages. However, England wasn’t always Christian. It embraced paganism during the barbarian Middle Ages. The church’s unrelenting work resulted in successful … More English Missions—Converting the Anglo-Saxons
The Carolingian Renaissance lasted through the reign of Emperor Charlemagne and his son, King Louis the Pious. It was a cultural movement among the Franks to elevate them into a civilized culture. Their barbarian heritage haunted them, and the Carolingian Renaissance was a self-conscious cultural ploy. It attempted to Romanize the Franks and preserve … More Carolingian Renaissance
The papal-Frankish alliance was mutually beneficial. It was a dexterous move by the Pope and Pepin the Short (AD 714 – 768), but one might wonder how and why the church and the Franks benefited from an alliance with each other. After all, wasn’t the church protected by the Byzantine Empire? As it turns out, … More The Papal-Frankish Alliance
Asher Sisneros 