Popes and Monarchs's Struggle for Power
Popes and monarchs were the most powerful people during the Middle Ages. Because of this , there was a fierce competition to be the most powerful. The most famous example of this is the conflict between Pope Gregory VII and King Henry IV. They fought over who could choose church leaders, such as bishops and abbots. So eventually, the Pope excommunicated King Henry. This was terrible for Henry because the church was such an important part of medieval society, and being excommunicated meant he was no longer a part of it. He then went to the Pope and stood outside for three nights barefoot in the snow. The Pope finally agreed to allow Henry to be part of the church again. For the time being, the argument had been settled as to whether the pope or monarch was more powerful.