1. William Is response to a request from Pope Gregory VII.
“ I have never desired to do fealty, nor do I desire it now; for I neither promised on my own behalf nor can I discover that my predecessors ever performed it to yours”
William Is response to a request from Pope Gregory VII.
What does this mean?
What does it suggest about relations between the King and the Pope?

2. Why was there conflict between the Pope and the Norman kings?
Learning outcomes:
Explain why there was conflict between Norman kings and the Papacy.
Assess the changing nature of relations and evaluate the main cause of conflict.

3. The Pope’s authority had no geographical limits
The Pope’s authority had no geographical limits. Christians everywhere were supposed to obey him. This included the King! Why might this cause conflict?

4. Under the Normans relations with the papacy fluctuated as king and Pope changed.
William I – Pope Alexander II gave William a Papal banner to bless his invasion. William allowed him to reform the church in England. William I and Pope Gregory VII – Gregory strongly believed the Pope had more power than the King. He demanded William swear fealty to him. William II and Pope Gregory VII – Gregory wanted to appoint his own clergy, this brought him into conflict with many rulers in Europe. Henry I and the investiture controversy.

5. The investiture controversy
Investiture – the act of formally giving somebody an honour or a rank. This usually happens in a ceremony and objects with significance are used.
This was one of the most important and significant conflicts between church and state over who had the power to appoint church leaders.
It didn’t just cause conflict in England but across Europe as well - especially in Germany.
In England the controversy happened under Henry I (became King in 1100 after the death of his brother).
The investiture controversy

6. When new bishops were sworn into power in Norman England the king would give symbols of their office, a ring and a staff. The Pope felt like this suggested the bishops depended on the kings rather than the Pope for their spiritual power.
The church also didn’t like the idea of churchmen having to pay homage to the king.
This caused a big problem however as many churchmen were tenants-in-chief and had been granted land by the king.
The controversy escalated so much that Henry I was threatened with excommunication! Henry and the Pope did however eventually reach a compromise in 1107 – the Concordat of London.
Henry gave up his right to invest bishops but could still receive homage from them before they were sworn into the church.

7. What was the main reason for conflict?
Why did relations decline so much under the reign of William II?
What did Henry I do to try and resolve the problems?
Use pages 62 – 63 to investigate the changing relations between Norman kings and the papacy. Make notes about each king. William I William II/ William Rufus Henry I