The Church and the Empire, D. J. Medley [librera reader TXT] 📗

ct dualism in theorganisation of society and, therefore, of the theoretical equalitybetween the ecclesiastical and the secular organs of government.According to this doctrine Sacerdotium and Imperium are independentspheres, each wielding the one of the two swords appropriate toitself, and thus the Emperor no less than the Pope is VicariusDei. It is this doctrine behind which the champions of the Empireentrench themselves in their contest with the Papacy. It was assertedby the Emperors themselves, notably by Frederick I and Frederick II,and it has been enshrined in the writings of Dante.

[Sidenote: Its weakness.]

The weak point of this theory was that it was rather a thesis foracademic debate than a rallying cry for the field of battle. Popularcontests are for victory, not for delimitation of territory. And itsweakness was apparent in this, that while the thorough-going partisansof the Church allowed to the Emperor practically no power except suchas he obtained by concession of or