Lay investiture

• Ceremonies where kings/nobles would appoint church officials

Why problematic:

• Whoever was in power = most control

  • Named bishops and other important clergy

• Reformers did not like this

Gregory VII vs Henry IV

• Gregory abolished lay investiture

  • Henry disagreed with this

• Henry orders Gregory to step down as pope

• Gregory excommunicated Henry

• People sided with the pope

Resolution/Compromise

• Only the church can appoint bishops

• Nobles can veto