Ryan Patrick’s Reviews > A Short History of the Papacy in the Middle Ages > Status Update

The irony of the last years of the medieval papacy is that it is the Renaissance that brought them down - during the Middle Ages proper they had been a vibrant and dynamic force in the world.

Conciliarism solves the problem of the Great Schism, but what now? (also, I had never before encountered the suggestion that Urban VI was suffering from mental derangement.)

Boniface VIII fails to change with the times, and gets himself harangued, harassed, and hurried to his death for his efforts.

The papacy had the most sophisticated governmental apparatus of the thirteenth century (but that still doesn't mean they were all-powerful, despite their rhetoric).

We hit the zenith of papal power: Innocent III

Ahh... the papal monarchy defeats Frederick Basbarossa.

The Concordat of Worms ends investiture.

Reform!

The papacy survives its 'dark century'.

Charlemagne becomes emperor, but what kind of emperor?