Pope Nicholas III

differing opinions on who should choose local bishops clashed in the early 11th century. Pope Gregory was an advocate for more church authority and believed that he, and future popes, should have absolute say in certain spheres of power and decision making. To cement this total authority, Gregory created his “Dictatus Papae” in 1075, which laid out his vision for the church and delegated certain powers to the pope, illustrating his vision for a powerful papacy that had superiority over all…

Benedictine monasteries prior to this time. Sixty-seven Cluny daughter houses, called Cluniac priories, were established by 1049. The papacy began to reform as well around 1046. Beginning with Leo IX who reigned as pope from 1049-54). He was appointed pope by his relative Henry III, the German Emperor. “Leo and his supporters took control of the papal court and…

Following the inceptive imperial coronation of Charlemagne 400 years after the widespread adoption of Christianity (c. 800 AD), the new theocratic government of the Holy Roman Empire was faced with a monumental challenge: reconciling their subject’s god given freewill with law. As the defining institution of the Holy Roman Empire, the religious schemas taught by Church’s became inextricably wound with politics. One by one, laws were enforced with divine benediction, repurposing the already…

Schmalkaldic Articles •Expansion of the Reformation •German Lutherans formed regional bodies to create new churches •Educational reforms •Reformation was introduced to Denmark by King Christian II, where it thrived under Frederick I •Under Christian III Lutheranism became the official state religion •Sweden - King Gustavus Vasa embraced Lutheranism and subjected church authority to the Diet of Vesteras •Poland was split between Lutherans, Anabaptists, Calvinists, and Antitrinitarians •Reaction…

yielded the “Five Chapters,” which would later finally become Formula of the Institute. Upon completion of this draft, Ignatius had the responsibility of presenting the text to the Pope. The text described the motivation and mission behind Ignatius and his fellow followers order. Only after being reviewed by the Pope and the papal court could the order be approved and established within the Church. This proposal from Ignatius did not go unnoticed; in fact, it received negative feedback as it was…

With Pope Clement V being mentioned as well as several famous or infamous individuals from the northern Italian city states. Dante’s largest claim however is the pope has overreached his power ordained by God and because of that is going against God’s will.…

the previous pope, Pope Celestine V and ascending to the papacy through simony. Pope Celestine is mentioned in the inferno in the third canto, when Dante is describing Limbo. He abdicated as pope only five months in, because of political pressure in the name of Boniface. However, he was placed in Limbo because “The Great Refusal (was) impelled/by cowardice” (III.50-51). In the same way that the clergy of the fourth circle were led astray because of their irrational avarice, Pope Celestine…

Sylvia Plath tragically died more than 50 years ago, however the vitality of her work continues on. To some, Plath’s writing is a biography of her life, yet to others, her work is simply a piece of art to be admired and studied. Through the earlier drafts of her poem “Stings,” one can develop a biographical perception of Plath’s writing. However, it is within her published version of “Stings” that Plath’s writing is revealed as the Introduction to Johnny Panic states, “impassioned…

"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." - Philip K. Dick. Whether you've heard this famous saying or not, it seems to ring true. For example, when you were a child, you were told that Santa Claus is existent and that he's the one that comes down your chimney (if you happen to have one), place presents under your Christmas tree, and bite into the cookies and drink the milk left out for him. So you believed it because you simply suppose "My parents wouldn't lie to…

England is a beautiful place to live, or even visit someday. The weather is usually cold and wet. Warm and comfortable clothes are a necessity. People throughout the ages, such as people in Elizabethan Era, wanted to be warm and stylish. The dress and clothing of Elizabethan England is a very important part of England’s history. In Elizabethan England, clothing could be bright and beautiful, or simple and plain. What clothes you wore depended on your station in life and your financial…