Changes Under the Normans - The Church 2
History: KS3, topic 1.13.18
Spiritual Reforms
The Normans introduced spiritual reforms alongside changes to organisation.
Rules for clergy
- The English Church became stricter under Lanfranc. Previously, monks and nuns had mixed well with local populations and lived normal lives.
- Lanfranc introduced celibacy for priests. However, many of the Anglo-Saxon priests were already married. This was a good excuse to promote Norman priests, bishops and abbots instead of Anglo-Saxon ones.
- Clergy were tried under a separate judicial system from the year 1076. Only 'Church courts' could decide if a monk or priest was guilty of a crime.
Nunneries and monasteries
- More nunneries and monasteries were opened. Many old abbeys and monasteries were rebuilt from stone, replacing shabby Anglo-Saxon wooden ones.
Relationship with the Pope
- William of Normandy was a Catholic.
- However, in 1078, the Head of the Catholic Church, the Pope, tried to increase his power at the expense of William's. He demanded that only the Church could appoint bishops and cardinals, instead of the King of England choosing them.
- This would have greatly reduced William's influence over the Church.
- Meanwhile, in England, William built grand cathedrals at places like Durham and Ely, whilst taxing the Church with the geld tax.
Test yourself on Changes Under the Normans - The Church 2
Which new rules were introduced for clergy?
Who lived in monasteries?
Which spiritual reforms did Lanfranc introduce?
Who lived in nunneries?