In 3–4 sentences, investigate the methods the Church used to increase its secular authority.

Answer 1

The Church used a combination of political and religious strategies to increase its secular authority. It allied with powerful rulers, allowing them to consolidate their power in exchange for the Church's increased influence over secular affairs. Additionally, the Church used the doctrine of papal supremacy to establish its authority over monarchs and used the fear of excommunication and eternal damnation to control and manipulate both rulers and their subjects. Overall, these methods allowed the Church to solidify its dominance and establish itself as a central authority in medieval Europe.