The Norman Church and Monasticism Flashcards
Power of Religion in the Middle Ages
Religion was life or death: Heaven, Hell, and Judgment were major concerns.
Church leaders rivaled kings in power; the Pope was the most powerful in Europe.
Parish churches were central to community life, with weekly Mass guiding salvation.
Wealth of the Church
Largest landowner: Held 25% of England’s land by 1086.
Income sources:
Tithes (10% of produce/profits).
Easter offerings and service fees (e.g., baptisms, funerals).
Land bequests for prayers/Heaven.
William I’s Church Reforms
Goals: Reduce corruption, strengthen control.
Key issues:
Pluralism (multiple roles).
Simony (selling church positions).
Nepotism (favoring relatives).
Celibacy violations (married clergy).
Lanfranc’s Reforms (1070–1076)
Synods: Church councils to enforce reforms.
Moved cathedrals to populous areas (e.g., Exeter).
New hierarchy: Archdeacons/deans improved diocesan control.
Parish expansion: Doubled village churches (2,000+ in Domesday Book).
Church courts: Clergy tried in synods, not secular courts.
Clergy could no longer get married
Lanfranc vs. Thomas of York
Conflict: Over primacy (leadership of English Church).
Resolution: Thomas submitted after King William’s pressure (1072).
Lanfranc’s advantages: Papal support, scholarly reputation, early appointment.
Church Courts
Established 1076: Tried clergy/spiritual offenses (blasphemy, adultery).
Less severe: Pilgrimages/confessions vs. secular hanging.
Tension: Resentment from laypeople due to unequal justice.
Only for trying clergymen
Romanesque Architecture
Style: Favored by Normans, blending Roman and Byzantine features.
Key Characteristics:
Thick walls, round arches, large towers.
Symmetrical design, minimal decoration.
Examples:
Southwest Minster (original Romanesque, later modified).
Lincoln/Durham Cathedrals (later Gothic additions like pointed arches).
Norman Church Building Program
Purpose: Display Norman power, replace Anglo-Saxon structures.
Style: Romanesque (thick walls, round arches, minimal decor).
Examples:
Durham Cathedral (1093, best surviving Norman example).
Ely Cathedral (symbol of Norman control post-rebellion).
Canterbury/York (rebuilt after fires/Danish destruction).
Methods: Forced labor, wealth from tithes/land.
William II (Rufus) vs. the Church
Causes:
Exploited Church wealth (kept bishoprics vacant for income).
Clashed over morality (accused of homosexuality).
Key Conflicts:
William of St Calais(Bishop of Durham) (1088): Tried for treason in secular court, exiled.
Anselm of Canterbury:
Demanded Church reforms, recognized Pope Urban II.
Exiled (1097) after Council of Rockingham (1095) stalemate.
Result: Church subordinated to the crown under Rufus.
Key Figures in Norman Church Reforms
Lanfranc:
Archbishop of Canterbury (1070–1089).
Implemented synods, reorganized Church hierarchy, and established church courts.
Close ally of William I; secured William II’s succession.
Thomas of York:
Rival of Lanfranc for primacy; submitted after royal pressure (1072).
Anselm:
Archbishop of Canterbury (1093–1109).
Clashed with William II over Church autonomy and morality.
Exiled for opposing royal exploitation of the Church.
Simony Under William Rufus
Definition: Selling church positions for profit.
Example: Herbert Losinga paid 1,000 marks to become Bishop of Thetford (1091).
Ranulf Flambard: Paid £1,000 for Bishop of Durham; key enabler of Rufus’ exploitation.
Quote: Orderic Vitalis criticized Rufus for appointing clergy based on loyalty, not piety.
Key Term: Simony → Corruption via sale of church offices.
William I & Papal Relations
Pope Alexander II: Supported Norman invasion (1066) with papal banner.
Reform Alliance: Both sought to end corruption (e.g., simony, married clergy).
Limits: William refused to swear fealty to the Pope, asserting royal authority. William did some things his own way, notably replacing all but 2 English bishops as he felt they were untrustworthy.
What were Pope Gregory VII’s Demands and William’s response
Radical Reforms:
Direct papal control over bishops.
Bishops to report to Rome (ignored by Lanfranc).
William’s Response: Rejected fealty but reinstated Peter’s Pence (tax to Rome).
How did William Rufus conflict with the Papacy?
Issue: Papal appointment of bishops.
Outcome: Pope Urban II agreed not to interfere in English appointments.
Result: Rufus maintained control but relations soured.
What was the Investiture Controversy (Henry I)
Conflict: Lay investiture (kings appointing bishops).
Anselm’s Stand: Refused homage/exiled (1103).
Henry was threatened with Excommunication but reached a resolution.
Resolution: Concordat of London (1107)
Henry gave up investiture but kept homage.
Bishops remained royal vassals.
What is an Abbot?
Definition: The head of a monastery (for monks) or abbey, equivalent to an abbess in a nunnery.
Role:
Spiritual leader, enforcing monastic rules (e.g., Benedictine vows).
Administrator, overseeing land, finances, and daily operations.
Appointment:
Often nobles (younger sons without inherited land).
Normans replaced Anglo-Saxon abbots post-1066 (only 3 remained by 1086).
Power:
Answered to the Pope (Cluniacs) or king (Benedictines).
Controlled obedientaries (e.g., cellarer, almoner).
What is a bishop?
Definition: A senior clergy member overseeing a diocese (church district), ranking above priests but below archbishops.
Key Roles:
Spiritual leader: Conducted confirmations, ordinations, and major ceremonies.
Administrator: Managed Church lands, finances, and clergy discipline.
Political agent: Often served as royal advisors (e.g., Lanfranc governed for William I).
Appointment:
Norman practice: Kings appointed loyalists (e.g., replaced Anglo-Saxon bishops with Normans post-1066).
Controversy: Investiture Conflict (Henry I vs. Pope) over whether kings or popes could appoint bishops.
Power:
Controlled church courts (after 1076 Winchester Council).
Some were Prince-Bishops (e.g., Durham) with military authority.
What is the definition of consecrated?
Definition: A sacred ceremony where a person (bishop/priest) or object (church/altar) is dedicated to God’s service through ritual and prayer.
What is a diocese?
Definition: A territorial district under the authority of a bishop, serving as the basic administrative unit of the medieval Church.
Governance:
Ruled by a bishop from a cathedral (main church).
Divided into smaller units: parishes (led by priests) and archdeaconries (supervised by archdeacons).
What is the definition of Excommunication?
A severe Church penalty that cuts off an individual (or group) from the sacraments and community of the Christian Church.
What is Lay Investiture?
The practice of kings/nobles (lay rulers) appointing bishops/abbots and granting them symbols of office (ring and staff).
Key Conflict:
Why It Angered the Church:
Implied secular rulers controlled spiritual authority (violating Church independence).
Often led to simony (selling church offices) or unqualified appointments.
Norman Context:
William I and Lanfranc allowed some royal influence but avoided open conflict.
Henry I clashed with Archbishop Anselm over the issue (1101–1107).
What was the Concordat of London(1107)
A historic agreement between King Henry I of England and Archbishop Anselm that resolved the Investiture Controversy in England.
End of Lay Investiture:
Henry I gave up the right to appoint bishops/abbots by handing them the ring (spiritual authority) and staff (pastoral office).
Preserved Royal Influence:
Bishops still had to swear homage (feudal loyalty) to the king before consecration.
Kings retained veto power over appointments.
Compromise:
The Church won symbolic control over spiritual offices.
The Crown kept practical authority (bishops remained royal vassals).
What are surplice fees?
Small payments made to parish priests for performing sacraments or rites
What was the Council of Rockingham(1095)
A pivotal Church council convened by King William II (Rufus) to resolve his power struggle with Archbishop Anselm over papal authority and Church reforms.
Key Issues at Stake:
Anselm’s Demand:
To travel to Rome and receive his pallium (symbol of archiepiscopal authority) directly from Pope Urban II, affirming papal supremacy.
Rufus’ Opposition:
Feared Anselm’s loyalty to the Pope would undermine royal control over the English Church.
Refused to recognize Urban II (supporting a rival antipope to limit papal interference).
Outcome:
Stalemate: The council ended without resolution, but Rufus later backed down.
Compromise:
Rufus allowed Anselm’s pallium to be brought from Rome (avoiding direct papal contact).
Urban II promised not to interfere in English Church affairs during Rufus’ reign.
