The Medieval Italian church is perhaps most famous for its works of high art and papal declarations. Its its long history it had to contend with various political entities which stretched it and at times caused it to splinter. This epoch is regarded as sentinel for the papacy's establishment as a strong political entity, but also for its growing independence from Byzantine influence, which was by the 9th century terminally waning on the peninsula. The medieval Italian church also struggled with foreign influence, which was heavily regionally specific. The church in southern Italy had to contend with the Norman and Saracen invasions, and at times the intervention of Aragonese forces. While in contrast, northern Italy was a battleground of jurisdiction between French and German authorities.