Question

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1. What country bordered he Holy Roman Empire to the west?
2. What benefits would the church gain by linking itself to this empire? Why?

Answer 1

1. France
2. Political power, mainly. At this time in the Church's history, church and state were deeply tied together with the clergy (such as the bishops) often wielding power and influence. It was like an empire within an empire. Tools such as excommunication were often used against enemies, either political or spiritual.