Final answer:
The power of the church peaked in the 1200s and declined due to the rise of nation-states, intellectual and cultural movements, and the impact of the Black Death.
Step-by-step explanation:
In my opinion, the power of the church peaked in the 1200s and forever declined after that due to several factors. One key factor was the rise of nation-states, which shifted power away from the church and towards secular rulers. This led to conflicts between the church and state, such as the Investiture Controversy, where rulers sought to appoint their own bishops.
Additionally, the church faced challenges from intellectual and cultural movements during this time, such as the Renaissance and the Protestant Reformation. These movements questioned the authority and teachings of the church, leading to a decline in the church's influence over time.
Lastly, the Black Death in the 14th century also weakened the church's power as people began to question why the church couldn't protect them from such a devastating event. This further eroded trust and authority in the church.
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