The Church's Role in Feudal Society:

Feudalism was based on the belief that land belonged to God. The Roman Church emerged as the most powerful force in the region. The church hierarchy held economic and political power. It controlled the spiritual life of Christians and gradually became the most powerful secular. The pope was the spiritual leader of the Church based in Rome. Medieval popes eventually claimed papal supremacy, or authority over all secular rulers including kings and emperors. The pope had the power to pronounce judgement against the king or excommunicate him. The king was answerable to the pope. The Church developed its own body of laws known as canon law. Anyone who disobeyed these laws faced penalties such as excommunication. The Church also used its great authority to end warfare among nobles.