WILLIAM II AND ARCHBISHOP ANSELM

in what ways did william and his sons reform the english church?

when did lanfranc die

1089

what was william II’s attitude towards appointing a successor for lanfranc

he showed no interest, preferring to take the profits of the bishopric instead

what happened in 1093

william dealt with severe illness, many thinking he would die

who did william seek to appoint

anselm, the abbot of the great norman monastery at Bec

what shows that this was a mistake

william did not die and soon came to regret his moment of weakness

how were the attitudes of william and anselm different

william - intelligent, cruel and cynical, he was inconcerned about piety and saw the church as an institution to be controlled and exploited

anselm - deeply enthusiastic with the reform movement

what was their most serious clash caused over

which of the two rival popes to recognise, Urban II or Clement III

william believed it was the kings right to decide, but anselm had already recognised Urban II, and out of loyalty refused the kings demand to retract this

what aggravated the situation further

anselms insistence that he needed to travel to rome to collect his pallium from urban II himself

why were the bishops fiercely loyal to the king at the council at Rockingham in 1095

because they were royal appointees rather than theologians

what was their advice

encouraged anselm to fall in with williams wishes

the bishop of durham advised william to depose anselm (partly encouraged by his own desire for the office)

why did the conference end in deadlock

because they realised that the charges of disloyalty against him were unfair and they were won over by his dignified demeanour

what did william do in attempt to find a solution

opened secret negotations with Pope Urban II through his legate, walter of albano

in return for recognising the pope, william secured the concession that no legates or papal letters would be sent to england without the kings consent

why was anselm not informed of these discussions

mainly because william II also attempted to link the recognition of urban II to the removal of anselm although this was largely rejected by the legate

what specific request strained william and anselms relationship

permission to organise a reforming council

why did a reforming council matter to anselm

because he saw it as his godly duty to tackle corruption evident in the english church

what ultimatum did william issue for anselm to go to rome to discuss the matter of church reform

if anselm left for rome, william would confiscate his lands and never receive him as archbishop again

staying would involve anselm paying a fine and promising not to appeal to rome again

which one did anselm choose

1. leaving for rome

what prospect was talked about at the Papal council of bari

excommunication, but this was not acted on

was urban II prepared to take decisive action in support of anselm

no

what meant that urban II needed englands financial support

his continuing struggle against clement III - needed peters pence tax

what was peters pence tax

a voluntary contribution to the church

how did fate take over

urban II died 1099

william II died 1100