3.2.1 Reforming the English Church

Question 1

Stigand (3)

Answer 1

• Stigand, was the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1052-1070.
• The Archbishop of Canterbury leads the Church of England.
• Aside from being an Anglo-Saxon, Stigand was not a very good example to England or the Church. He used his position of power to increase his personal wealth. Stigand was the bishop for lots of different regions in the UK, meaning he controlled more land and earned more money. Stigand appointed people to jobs in the Church based on how much money they would pay him, rather than the merit of the people applying for the jobs.

Question 2

What was the name of the process that William I imposed on the Church?

Answer 2

Normanisation

Question 3

Lanfranc (4)

Answer 3

• Lanfranc was an Italian, who had moved to France. William I made Lanfranc the Archbishop of Canterbury in August of 1070.
• Lanfranc centralised power towards himself and towards King William I. Lanfranc brought every aspect of the Church of England under his control.
• Lanfranc was controlled by only 2 people - the King, and the Pope (the leader of the Catholic church who lived in Vatican City). So, William gained great power over the Church by giving Lanfranc lots of power.
• In the Earls’ Revolt of 1075, Archbishop Lanfranc was in charge of England whilst William was travelling.

Question 4

What did Lanfranc change? (2)

Answer 4

• Dioceses, were regions controlled by bishops. Lanfranc introduced an archdeacon into each diocese, to increase his control over the actions and behaviour of members of the Church.
• Previously, priests had lived relatively normal lives and mixed with normal people. Lanfranc created a separate system in society for priests and the people involved in running the Church.

Question 5

When William invaded England, he did so under the Papal Banner and in the belief that God was on his side Once he was king, he set about dealing with what he saw as corruption in the English Church. What were his four major concerns?

Answer 5

• Pluralism: clergy holding multiple jobs (and getting paid for them). For example, a priest might be in charge of a parish in the south-west and another parish in the north-east, but never visit either of them.
• Simony: selling positions or jobs within the Church.
• Nepotism: appointing unqualified family members to positions of power.
• Clerical Marriage: according to Church law, clergy were required to remain celibate. In reality, many priests were married and had children.