Often the power behind the throne

Most of our subjects were active among the political elite of their times. A few were devout and saintly. Until the 1500s, all were Roman or Greek Orthodox Catholics. The Catholic hierarchies worked closely with the secular rulers and still do. Western Europe functioned under a duel rule of Holy Roman Emperor, the secular arm; and the Holy Roman Catholic Church, the spiritual arm. The power of this union was greatly diminished following the Reformation and the rise of Protestantism. The Eastern Orthodox Church remained a powerful political force until the early days of the 20th century.
The enormous influence wielded by these clerics in the affairs of state would be beyond the imagining of today’s citizens. For the most part, historians see this influence as conflictive if not dangerous. Of course there were exceptions where the influence was a benefit to the state (ruler). Among those we have included, only a minority had totally sinister influence. By and large the negativity could be attributed to a misguided view and was little worse than the secular hear of state of their time.