William II and the Church (I)

?
  • Created by: Alasdair
  • Created on: 11-06-17 11:29
How significant was William's attitude towards the Church? (I)
Described as 'no interest in church save as a source of profit'
1 of 39
How significant was William's attitude towards the Church? (II)
Extracted geld from religious houses
2 of 39
How significant was William's attitude towards the Church? (III)
Used taxes to finance all sorts of things (mostly battles)
3 of 39
How significant was William's attitude towards the Church? (IV)
Individuals associated with church and who wanted to progress their careers through royal approval were also targeted as source of income, e.g. Herbert Losings paid William Rufus 1000 marks to make him Bishop of Thetford in 1091
4 of 39
How significant was William's attitude towards the Church? (V)
Overall, William 'Rufus' was interested in church matters if it served his needs to raise revenue, improve his administration or reward those who remained loyal servants
5 of 39
Who was William of Saint-Calais? (I)
Student in France of Odo, Bishop of Bayeux
6 of 39
Who was William of Saint-Calais? (II)
Became Benedictine Monk at Saint-Calais in Maine before becoming Abbot of Saint Vincent in Le Mans
7 of 39
Who was William of Saint-Calais? (III)
In 1080, Conqueror promoted him to Bishop of Durham
8 of 39
Who was William of Saint-Calais? (IV)
Seen as responsible person who could bring back stability in Durham after upheaval
9 of 39
Who was William of Saint-Calais? (V)
After bringing calm to Durham, William of Saint-Calais reformed clergy (secular clergymen to monks) and started a building program for Durham cathedral
10 of 39
Who was William of Saint-Calais? (VI)
Also had other administrative tasks (commissioner for Domesday Book)
11 of 39
Who was William of Saint-Calais? (VII)
Also councillor to Conqueror and Rufus (chief adviser to William Rufus)
12 of 39
Who was William of Saint-Calais? (VIII)
In 1088, accused of involvement with rebel barons, lands seized and put on trial in Salisbury.
13 of 39
What was the involvement of William Saint-Calais in 1088 rebellion? (I)
Early spring 1088, Rufus heard Odo of Bayeux and Roger of Montgomery were on their way to him with aim of deposing him. William of Saint-Calais informed King who responded by instructing Bishop William to accompany him, with army, to confront rebels
14 of 39
What was the involvement of William Saint-Calais in 1088 rebellion? (II)
Initially Bishop agreed to support Rufus - went with bodyguard of 7 household knights to travel to his own castle to get reinforcements. However, on his way, seemed to have change of heart and didn't return to royal court.
15 of 39
What was the involvement of William Saint-Calais in 1088 rebellion? (III)
When captured, Bishop William did not deny he had deserted court but claimed he was not guilty of any crime.
16 of 39
What was the involvement of William Saint-Calais in 1088 rebellion? (IV)
Bishop William had returned to Durham after leaving court but only to find Ralf Pagnell, Sheriff of Yorkshire, had been instructed to confiscate his property. Bishop responded by sending letter to Rufus explaining why he felt he had been wronged.
17 of 39
What was the involvement of William Saint-Calais in 1088 rebellion? (V)
Rufus largely ignored Bishop's pleas, although he told Bishop he needed to prepare himself to stand trial of treason sometime in summer months.
18 of 39
What was the involvement of William Saint-Calais in 1088 rebellion? (VI)
Bishop William agreed to stand trial) but on condition trial would be conducted according to canon law (law of Church) -
19 of 39
What was the involvement of William Saint-Calais in 1088 rebellion? (VII)
Rufus refused request to stand trial under canon law and stated Bishop would be tried as vassal of king and therefore under secular law. King also withdrew earlier offer of guaranteeing safe conduct to trial.
20 of 39
What was the involvement of William Saint-Calais in 1088 rebellion? (VIII)
Bishop continued to protest about predicament, which promoted Rufus to send army against him.
21 of 39
What was the involvement of William Saint-Calais in 1088 rebellion? (IX)
Sept 1088, King's army reached Durham Castle but failed to secure it. Seemed enough for Rufus to backtrack on earlier hardline he had taken. Once again Rufus agreed to Bishop's safe return to royal court.
22 of 39
What was the involvement of William Saint-Calais in 1088 rebellion? (X)
Trial was then formalised, although it was to be conducted in way Rufus originally demanded (that is, William was to be tried as vassal according to secular law)
23 of 39
What was the involvement of William Saint-Calais in 1088 rebellion? (XI)
William of Saint-Calais left see of Durham on 11 Sept 1088 but his trial did not take place until 2 Nov at Salisbury. Mainly due to King having to deal with last stages of rebellion.
24 of 39
What happened at Bishop William's trial?
William of Saint-Calais trial, probably held at Salisbury Castle, was to last less than a day.
25 of 39
What happened at Bishop William's trial? (II)
Present were most prominent earls, barons, abbots and bishops of land. Included Henry of Beaumont, Roger Bigot, Ralf Pagnell, Archbishop Lanfranc and Bishop Geoffrey of Countances.
26 of 39
What happened at Bishop William's trial? (III)
Proceedings of trial started out in quite rowdy manner.
27 of 39
What happened at Bishop William's trial? (IV)
Reiterated to Bishop William he was being offered fair trial and there was precedent for it (trial of Odo of Bayeux in 1082). Emphasis placed on idea he had broken his fealty to King and, as result, his fief (estate, including castle) confiscated
28 of 39
What happened at Bishop William's trial? (V)
After much exchanging of views on charges and taking of Bishop's fief, Henry of Beaumont prompted to state final judgment: Bishop to lose fief, which he refused to accept andd therefore had guarantee of safe passage taken away.
29 of 39
What happened at Bishop William's trial? (VI)
Guarantee of safe passing being taken away meant Bishop liable to arrest and imprisonment unless he accepted judgement.
30 of 39
What happened at Bishop William's trial? (VII)
Bishop persistent in his attitude unless he accepted second time, to making plea to Pope Urban II for canonical trial in Rome. Rufus found plea insulting as he and court had yet to recognise Urban II as replacement of Gregory VII.
31 of 39
What happened at Bishop William's trial? (VIII)
Plea for trial in Rome in eyes of King was acceptance of defeat by Saint-Calais; Bishop William was acknowledging Rufus and his court were not going to move from stance they had taken.
32 of 39
What happened at Bishop William's trial? (XI)
By accepting King and his court were not going to change minds, Bishop was forfeiting fief which, given he had also lost guarantee of personal freedom, left him only one course of action: after giving castle to officials on 14 Nov, exile in Normandy
33 of 39
What were consequences of Bishop William's trial?
Main: showed Rufus was determined King and prepared to commit to what he thought was right. Decision making supported by group of most powerful nobles and clergy in land.
34 of 39
What were consequences of Bishop William's trial? (II)
Sentence imposed on Bishop would undoubtedly have acted as deterrent to those who wanted to challenge authority of King in similar way.
35 of 39
What were consequences of Bishop William's trial? (III)
Gave indications of William's approach he was going to adopt towards church - not considered equal to authority of Crown.
36 of 39
What were consequences of Bishop William's trial? (IV)
Insistence on trial being conducted according to secular law and his disquiet at Bishop William's pleas to Rome support notion Rufus not afraid to take on power of Church if he felt he had strong enough case to do so.
37 of 39
What were consequences of Bishop William's trial? (V)
William Saint-Calais returned to Durham in Sept 1091 after being forgiven by King. Fief restored and served royal court until death in 1096.
38 of 39
What were consequences of Bishop William's trial? (VI)
William Saint-Calais involved in negotiations over Anselm becoming Archbishop of Canterbury and in 1095, prosecutions against Anselm. Durham cathedral refurbished with impressive library containing many books on canon-law.
39 of 39

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Extracted geld from religious houses

Back

How significant was William's attitude towards the Church? (II)

Card 3

Front

Used taxes to finance all sorts of things (mostly battles)

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Individuals associated with church and who wanted to progress their careers through royal approval were also targeted as source of income, e.g. Herbert Losings paid William Rufus 1000 marks to make him Bishop of Thetford in 1091

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Overall, William 'Rufus' was interested in church matters if it served his needs to raise revenue, improve his administration or reward those who remained loyal servants

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar History resources:

See all History resources »See all Britain in the Middle Ages resources »