Papal Expansion and The Importance of Harmonious Relations Between Church and State Ecclesiastical reform was incredibly important in the European Church in the late eleventh century and the early twelfth century. Previous to Emperor Henry III’s reign there were extremely comfortable relations between the Church and the state which kept many kings, princes, and popes united, but actually upset many reformers. Papal reformers of the mid-eleventh century could primarily be categorized in two separate …showed first 75 words of 1138 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1138 total…and Henry IV’s beliefs contrasted sharply. Since Leo IX and Henry III maintained harmonious relations during their periods of rule, their reform of the papacy was successful. On the other hand, Gregory VII and Henry III were in constant disagreement, which caused papal reform to head in the wrong direction. All in all, during this time period two strong authorities conducted different parts of society, and their relations determined if the civilization would flourish.