Pope+Gregory+IX

Pope Gregory IX //Gregory IX Approving the Decretals. Painted in 1511 by Raphael Sanzio. //

//The significance of the papacy of Gregory IX can be seen in his ceaseless efforts to reassert the dominance and influence of the Catholic Church over other hostile elements of the medieval ruling class. It can be said that the power struggle between the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor, and the Church’s relentless suppression of heresy under his instruction, werecomponents of its larger goal to maintain hegemonic control over contemporary European politics. //

Born into a wealthy family in the town of Anagni in 1145, Ugolino (as he was named) spent his early years studying law and theology in the Universities of Paris and Bologna. During this period of his life, he became aware and attuned to the political situation in Europe – particularly the often strained relationship between the Church and the Holy Roman Empire in Germany, and the many feuding city-states of Northern Italy. Ugolino’s relationship with Frederick II began at the emperor’s coronation in 1220, when the newly elected leader made a vow to him to embark for the holy land in support of the Fifth Crusade. The emperor refused to follow this command, and was faced heavy criticism and sorn from the Papacy. Under pressure from the Pope, Frederick II did eventually set sail from southern Italy, but returned only three days later. 1  Gregory IX gave him no benefit of doubt and promptly excommunicated him on the 27th of September, 1227. This quickly resulted in conflict between these two power blocs of Europe. Frederick II issued a manifesto condemning the rash and harsh actions of the pope. This was read publicly in Rome, resulting in the imperial faction of Frederick II’s supporters launching an anti-papal insurrection. Gregory IX was forced to flee the city. In Germany, every bishop except one – Berthold of Strasburg – published the bull of excommunication. All others remained faithful to the emperor. In June 1229, Frederick II defeated the armies sent from the Pope to capture Sicily. Peace was then signed between the two powers on the 20th of July, 1230. This period of peace between The Holy Roman Empire and the Church lasted until 1236. During the six years, the two forces collaborated closely in the suppression of domestic rebellions (both papal and imperial) and also in the suppression of heresy. When relations, though bitter, were pliable enough to allow cooperation, this often took place. It was during this period that the papal Inquisition began, in response to the growing threat of the spread of heresy throughout Europe. In addition, Frederick II issued a bull giving his subjects much greater autonmoy than before in order to focus the Imerial interest southwards - toward Italy. 2 Relations again deteriorated when Frederick began inciting rebellion in the Lombard League. Gregory IX responded that the emperor was an oppressor of the Sicilian church, arguing: ‘no one can move without your command’.3 In March of 1239, Pope Gregory IX excommunicated Frederick II.

This constant struggling and battling for power that existed between the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire during the reign of Gregory IX must be seen in the greater context of increasing church centralization and the concept of “papal primacy” that was introduced during the reign of Innocent III.4 Further, the strength of Frederick II in the north of Europe, //coupled// with his Sicilian holdings made him a grave threat to the Papal States in between them. Thus we can see Gregory IX and Frederick II working in cooperation to defend one another from domestic rebellion and revolt, to aid and assist each other in the suppression of heresy and against other ‘common causes’. To this end, they saw the collective interests of their class at stake and worth defending. When, however, their interests collided – when they threatened each other’s hegemony – they spared no time or means in their assault against one another.

//References://  1 J. P. Kirsch, “Pope Gregory IX” //The Catholic Encyclopedia: Volume 6//. New York: Robert Appelton Company, 1909.  2 Frederick II, “Statue in Favor of the Princes, 1231” in //A Source Book for Medieval History//, ed. O. J. Thatcher and E. H. McNeal. (New York: Charles Scribner’s, 1905), 238-240 <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; text-align: justify;"> 3 J. A. Watt, “The Papacy” in //New Cambridge Medieval History: Volume V c.1198-c.1300,// ed. David Abulafia (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999), 107-163 <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; text-align: justify;"> 4 W. Ullmann, “Leo I and the theme of papal primacy”, Journal of Theological Studies, 11, 25-51 <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; text-align: justify;"> // Images: // Title Image: from ArtGallery2000, (2007). "Gregory IX Approving the Decretals". [|//http://www.artgallery2000.com/gallery/images/Gregory-IX-Approving-the-Decretals-1511.jpg//] <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Map: from //New Cambridge Medieval History: Volume V c.1198-c.1300,// ed. David Abulafia (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999), 108