The Historians' History of the World 08

Appendix. Feudalism

b James Bryce, The Holy Roman Empire.

c G. W. F. Hegel, Philosophy of History.

d Carl Spannagel, Zur Geschichte des Deutschen Heerwesens vom X bis zum XII Jahrhundert.

e Otto von Freising, Chronik.

f Philippe de Beaumanoir, Coutumes de Beauvaisis.

g Guibert de Nogent, Gesta Dei per Francos.

h William of Tyre, Historia belli sacri.

i V. Duruy, Histoire du Moyen Age.

j Paul von Roth, Feudalität und Unterthanenverband.

BOOK II. THE PAPACY

INTRODUCTION

HISTORY IN OUTLINE OF THE PAPACY

THE BISHOPS OF ROME [42-590 A.D.]

The early history of the Papacy is involved in much obscurity. For the early centuries we shall attempt little more than to repeat the names of the successive bishops, as accepted by the traditions of the church of Rome. According to these traditions, the Apostle Peter founded the Church in the year 42 (modern criticism does not accept this date, which is almost surely too early by about a score of years); he was martyred in 67, and succeeded by Linus, who was followed in 79 by Cletus or Anacletus. 91, Clement I or Clemens Romanus. Some writers make him the third bishop in 68 A.D. 100, Evarestus.

109 Alexander I. The political life of Rome extinguished by the empire, begins to revive in the organisation of the Christian church. 119, Sixtus I. 129, Telesphorus. 139, Hyginus. 143, Pius I. 157, Anicetus. 168, Soter. 177, Eleutherius. 193, Victor I. The bishop of Rome is beginning to assume supremacy over other bishops. This is resented in some quarters.

202 Zephyrinus. 219, Calixtus I. 223, Urban I. 230, Pontianus. 235, Anterius. 236, Fabianus. 251, Cornelius. 252, Lucius I. 253, Stephen I. 257, Sixtus II. 259, Dionysius. 269, Felix I. 275, Eutychianus. 283, Caius. 296, Marcellinus.

308 Marcellus I. 310, Eusebius. 311, Melchiades. 314, Silvester I. 325, The authority of the metropolitan is distinctly recognised. The idea has been developing since the primacy of Fabianus and Cornelius. 330, Removal of the capital from Rome to Constantinople. This increases greatly the power of the Roman bishop, who henceforth announces his supremacy in more decided tones. 336, Marcus I. 337, Julius I. He is the recognised protector of the orthodox faith against Arianism and other heresies. The church begins to organise landed properties by bequests from emperors and nobles.

352 Liberius. 356, First instance of schism in the church of Rome. Felix maintains a rival claim to the primacy.

366 Damasus I elected to the see, after a bitter and violent contest, over his rival, Ursinus. Damasus represents the cause of orthodoxy. 384, Siricius. In his primacy the decretals—pastoral letters—are begun.

398 Anastasius I. The papacy has emerged from obscurity. Paganism is in its death throes.

402 Innocent I. He does much to free the church from political interference. 417, Zosimus. He attempts to temporise with paganism.

418 Boniface I. His election is contested. Eulalius maintains a rival claim. The emperor Honorius intervenes, and the provisions for election are revised. This is the first instance of imperial interference.

422 Celestine I. 432, Sixtus III. 440, Leo (I) the Great, sometimes called the real founder of the papacy. The precedence of the bishops of Rome is now fully recognised. 461, Hilarius. 468, Simplicius. 476, The fall of the Western Empire increases the bishops’ authority. 483, Felix II (or III, if the rival bishop in 356 is reckoned as Felix II). He feels himself powerful enough to summon the patriarch of Constantinople to Rome, and excommunicates him on his refusal to obey. 492, Gelasius I. He enunciates the principle that his acts are not to be controlled by synods. 496, Anastasius II. 498, Symmachus. The election is contested by Laurentius, who maintains a rival claim. The Palmary synod disavows its own right to sit in judgment on the acts of the Roman bishop.