3.2.2 The Church’s Spiritual Reforms Flashcards
Relationship with the Pope
- William of Normandy was a Catholic.
- However, in 1078, the Head of the Catholic Church, the Pope, tried to increase his power at the expense of William’s. He demanded that only the Church could appoint bishops and cardinals, instead of the King of England choosing them. This would have greatly reduced William’s influence over the Church.
Where did William I build grand cathedrals?
At places like Durham and Ely
What did William I tax the Church with?
The geld tax
How did William I reform the role of the bishops? (2)
- By 1080, there was only one Anglo-Saxon bishop left - William had replaced the others with Normans.
- Lanfranc, a Norman, was made Archbishop of Canterbury in 1070, replacing Stigand, an Anglo-Saxon. Lanfranc was given the job of achieving William’s reforms.
How did William I reform the architecture? (2)
- Churches and cathedrals were rebuilt in Romanesque style, with its simple yet impressive design.
- More nunneries and monasteries were opened. Many old abbeys and monasteries were rebuilt from stone, replacing Anglo-Saxon wooden ones.
How did William I reform organisation? (2)
- The Church was given a clear structure. Dioceses (districts overseen by bishops) were divided into archdeaconries, which were then divided into deaneries.
- New cathedrals were built in important locations such as Coventry, Salisbury and Lincoln.
How did William I reform legal issues? (2)
- In 1076, the Council of Winchester ordered that only Church courts could try clergy.
- William reintroduced ‘Peter’s Pence’, a tax of one pence paid to the Pope from every household.
How did William I reform parish priests?
Lanfranc introduced celibacy for priests. However, many of the Anglo-Saxon priests remained in their jobs and were already married. This was a good excuse to promote Norman priests, bishops and abbots instead of Anglo-Saxon ones.
Who lived in monasteries?
Monks
The relationship between Norman kings and the Church: The papacy
William I’s relationship with the Papacy (the authority of the Pope) deteriorated as his reign went on. This decline continued under William II.
The relationship between Norman kings and the Church: Reward
William I and William I promoted or rewarded their supporters by giving them religious positions. It was only the Pope or the Church that had the power to do this, though, which caused conflict between the king and the Church.
The relationship between Norman kings and the Church: Wealth
Both William I and William II used the Church to increase their own wealth. They collected geld (a tax) from religious houses (communities of priests, monks and nuns). There is also evidence that the Normans stole gold and silver ornaments from English churches and sent them to churches in Normandy.
The relationship between Norman kings and the Church: Penance
In 1070, Pope Alexander ordered William I to pay penance for the violence of his invasion. The king ordered the building of Battle Abbey on the site of the Battle of Hastings.
The relationship between Norman kings and the Church: Anselm
When Lanfranc died in 1089, William II did not appoint a new Archbishop of Canterbury. Instead, he used it as an opportunity to take from the Church. He eventually appointed Anselm in 1093. The relationship between the two was difficult, as it was clear that Anselm supported Pope Gregory’s attempts to increase the independence of the clergy.
The Investiture Controversy
In 1078, the Pope tried to help the Church stay independent by banning kings from appointing bishops and abbots. This caused huge disagreements between the Pope and the kings of Europe over who could appoint senior members of the Church. The Investiture Controversy finally ended in 1122.
