Papal Expansion and The Importance of Harmonious .

            

             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 groups. There were those who wanted to change the papacy mildly by improving the moral standards of churchmen and end simony while remaining working hand-in-hand with the royal imperials. Then, there were those reformers that wanted to radically change the papacy by totally cutting off relations with the imperials then, in turn, shifting power to their new papal monarchy. Pope Leo IX is an example of a mild papal reformer while Pope Gregory VII sought radical papal reform. These differences in papal reform beliefs defined the popes" relationships with their respective emperors, Henry III and Henry IV, and, correspondingly, defined the success of the Church and the Empire.

             In 1309 Emperor Henry III inherited the throne and immediately focused on papal reform in the Empire. The position of Emperor brought on great responsibility for Henry III, but also brought on great imperial power. Henry III decided that he would aim his power towards politics in papal Rome. At the time there was a battle for the title of pope that was being fought by three different people. There had not been one definite pope in the papacy and Henry III decided that he would depose all three of those fighting for the head of the papacy and would appoint the pope himself. Henry III began looking for an appointee that was eager to reform the church the same way he envisioned church reform. .

             Pope Leo IX was the name of the person the Emperor chose.