Investiture was the outward symbol of their authority. Especially favoured churchmen were even entrusted with the office of count as well as with the rights and properties pertaining to the counties they administered. The chapters of royal collegiate churches formed something of a training ground for bishops, and the kings themselves became honorary canons at the most important cathedrals of their realms. Homage obliged the bishop or abbot to assist the ruler both spiritually and materially by fulfilling the requirements of “service to the king” ( servitium regis), including the payment of fees, distribution of ecclesiastical fiefs (benefices) to royal supporters at the king’s request, hospitality, military support, and court attendance as an adviser and collaborator.Īs early as the 10th century, the interdependence of rulers and ecclesiastics had become particularly pronounced in the Ottonian empire. In return the prelate swore fealty to the ruler, an action described since the late 11th century as homage ( hominium or homagium). When investing a bishop, the king presented him with a crosier (staff) and, since the reign of Emperor Henry III (1039–56), with a ring, saying “receive the church.” By church was meant not only the episcopal office ( spiritualia) but also the pertinent rights and properties ( regalia). The kingdom of Italy, a creation of the Lombards, had all but ceased to exist as a separate entity in the early 11th century. The consecration of the newly minted bishop by his ecclesiastical superior then usually followed. Bishops and abbots were nominated and installed by rulers in a ceremony known since the second half of the 11th century as investiture. Although the canon law declaring that bishops were to be elected by the clergy and people of their future diocese was never abrogated, it was ignored. Instead, nobles and, especially, anointed kings assumed numerous Christian duties, including the protection and foundation of churches and abbeys, which they had often built and endowed. BackgroundĪfter the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century ad, significant changes took place within the churches of the Germanic successor states, which generally ceased to look to the pope in Rome or to ecumenical councils for guidance. The controversy began about 1078 and was concluded by the Concordat of Worms in 1122.
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At issue was the customary prerogative of rulers to invest and install bishops and abbots with the symbols of their office. Investiture Controversy, conflict during the late 11th and the early 12th century involving the monarchies of what would later be called the Holy Roman Empire (the union of Germany, Burgundy, and much of Italy see Researcher’s Note), France, and England on the one hand and the revitalized papacy on the other. Britannica Explains In these videos, Britannica explains a variety of topics and answers frequently asked questions.This Time in History In these videos, find out what happened this month (or any month!) in history.