The Basilica of Saint Peter in Rome is not only a magnificent building, but also a place where one can admire statues of popes. Here are a few words about another one of them, Pope Innocent III.
Pope Innocent III, whose real name was Lotario dei Conti di Segni was a very powerful and influential pope in the history of the Catholic Church. He had a good education in theology and law, and he worked in different administrative and church positions at the beginning of his career. He became pope on January 8, 1198, after Pope Celestine III died. His papacy ended with his death on July 16, 1216. He strongly believed in the authority of the pope and thought that the Church was more important than the rulers. He influenced many kings and leaders and often got involved in their conflicts and disagreements. Innocent III put heavy financial pressure on both the clergy and rulers. He made many official decisions, including starting the Fourth Crusade.
The Papal Power Struggle in Medieval England
In 1205, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Hubert Walter, passed away, and the King of England, John Lackland, wanted to influence the selection of the new archbishop. However, Pope Innocent III insisted on the independence of the Church in such matters and asserted his authority to appoint the archbishop. When the cathedral chapter of Canterbury elected Stephen Langton as the new Archbishop in 1207 without the approval of King John, the king refused to accept Langton and seized the revenues of the archbishopric.
Pope Innocent III responded by placing England under interdict in 1208. An interdict is a censure by the Catholic Church, which suspends public worship services and the administration of certain sacraments. The aim was to pressure King John to submit to the Pope’s authority in ecclesiastical matters. The interdict had a significant impact on England, affecting the religious life of the people. The conflict escalated further, leading to King John’s excommunication in 1209. Eventually, in 1213, facing political and military challenges, King John submitted to the Pope, accepted Langton as Archbishop of Canterbury, and agreed to pay an annual tribute to the Papal See.
The Papal Power Struggle during the Interregnum of the Holy Roman Empire
After Emperor Henry VI died in 1197, the Holy Roman Empire faced a period of instability called the Interregnum, with no clear successor to the throne. Different German princes and factions fought for power during this time. Pope Innocent III saw a chance to assert papal authority in choosing the new emperor. He first supported Philip of Swabia, Emperor Henry VI’s brother. But when Philip was killed in 1208, Innocent III switched his support to Otto IV, from the powerful Guelph family. Otto IV became Holy Roman Emperor in 1209 with the pope’s backing.
However, conflicts soon arose between Otto IV and Pope. One major issue was Otto’s failure to keep promises made to the papacy, including giving large territories to the Church. In 1210, Pope Innocent III excommunicated Otto IV for his perceived betrayal and failure to keep his promises. This strained the relationship between the Pope and the Emperor and had political consequences within the Holy Roman Empire. Even after being excommunicated, Otto IV ruled as emperor for some time. But the papal excommunication weakened his position, and eventually, internal conflicts and opposition from other German princes led to his removal in 1215. Frederick II, the son of Henry VI and a ward of Pope Innocent III, later became the next Holy Roman Emperor, ending the interregnum.
The Unintended Consequences of the Fourth Crusade
Innocent III’s involvement in the Fourth Crusade led to unintended consequences. The crusaders, facing financial difficulties, were unable to pay the Venetians for the transportation they provided. To settle their debts, Doge Enrico Dandolo proposed redirecting the campaign to Zara. The Venetians convinced the crusaders that capturing Zara would be justifiable due to the city’s rebellion against Venetian authority. Despite Zara being a Christian city, the crusaders attacked and besieged it in November 1202. Upon learning of the diversion and the attack on Zara, Pope Innocent III expressed disapproval and excommunicated the leaders of the Fourth Crusade.
This was another gamechanger for the crusaders. Dandolo continued to play a key role in the events of the Fourth Crusade, persuading the crusaders to divert their efforts to Constantinople. On April 12, 1204, the crusaders breached the walls of Constantinople, subjecting the city to widespread looting, arson, and violence for three days. Following the sack, the crusaders established the Latin Empire of Constantinople, exacerbating the East-West Schism between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. In 1261, the Byzantine Empire, led by Michael VIII Palaiologos, managed to reconquer Constantinople, marking the end of the Latin Empire. However, the city continued to decline in the face of external pressures, eventually falling to the Ottoman Empire in 1453.