William II 'Rufus' and the Church (05.06)

Question 1

who had a notable trial and when?

Answer 1

William of Saint-Calais / 1088

Question 2

who was William of Saint Calais a student of?

Answer 2

• student of Odo of Bayeux

Question 3

when was William of SC promoted to bishop of Durham?

Answer 3

1080

Question 4

why was William of SC promoted to bishop of Durham?

Answer 4

• reward for supporting WoN
• seen as a responsible person who could bring stability

Question 5

how did William of SC bring stability to Durham

Answer 5

• reformed the clergy - replaced secular clergymen with monks
• started a building programme
• administrative tasks - acting as commissioner for the production of the Domesday survey / became councillor to WoN + WR (chief advisor to WR)

Question 6

Where was William of SC put on trial?

Answer 6

Salisbury

Question 7

what conflict was William of SC involved with?

Answer 7

1088 rebellion

Question 8

explain William of SC’s involvement in the 1088 rebellion and how that led to the trial

Answer 8

• WoSC informs WR about the rebellion + WR instructs WoSC to accompany him with an army
• WoSC initially agrees and goes to his own castle to get reinforcements
• when captured WoSC did not deny that he deserted the king but claimed that he was not guilty of any crime
• returned to Durham but found that his property had been confiscated
• WoSC sends a letter to the king claimed to have been wronged - WR ignores his pleas and says that he has to prepare to go on trial for treason
• WoSC agreed as long as it will be according to canon law - Rufus refused (bishop tried as a vassal of the king under secular law) / WR withdrew offer of safe conduct / WoSC continued to protest so WR sent an army
• king’s army reach the castle but fail to secure it / WR agrees to give WoSC safe conduct/return to royal court / trial formalized

Question 9

who was present at WoSC’s trial?

Answer 9

prominent earls/bishops/barons/abbots
- Henry of Beaumont
- Roger Bigot
- Ralf Pagnell
- Lanfranc
- Geoffrey of Countances

Question 10

what did WoSC want before he responded to the king’s accusations?

Answer 10

• possessions returned
• restored to his bishopric

Question 11

how was it decided that WoSC had acknowledged that WR was not going to move on the stance they had taken?

Answer 11

• asked to make a plea to Pope Urban II for a canonical trial in Rome

Question 12

why was exile to Normandy WofSC’s only option?

Answer 12

• forfeited his fief
• lost a guarantee of personal freedom (at risk of arrest +imprisonment)

Question 13

3 consequences of the trial of William of SC?

Answer 13

• showed that WR was a determined king / prepared to commit to what he thought was right / supported by powerful nobles / acted as a deterrent
• indication of Rufus’ approach towards the Church - believed the Church was not equal to or above the authority of the crown / insistence on the trial being conducted according to secular law + rejection of Bishop’s pleas to Rome / not afraid to challenge power of the Church
• WoSC returned in 1091 after being forgiven / fief restored + served in royal court / involved in Anslem becoming archbishop / refurbished the buildings at Durham cathedral

Question 14

when was the council of Rockingham

Answer 14

1095

Question 15

what was the long term reason for the council of Rockingham?

Answer 15

unresolved issues that had arisen over Anselm’s demands for reform

Question 16

what was the short term reason for the council of Rockingham?

Answer 16

WR refused to allow Anslem to go to Rome to claim his pallium from Urban II

Question 17

Why was WR against Anslem claiming his pallium from Urban II?

Answer 17

• agreeing to this would mean that he was effectively giving his own approval
• if Anslem persisted he would be placing his loyalty above fealty to the king - treason

Question 18

how did William try to resolve the conflict at the council of Rockingham? did this work?

Answer 18

• sent a messenger to Rome to collect the the pallium and it would be presented after discussion over whether Anslem would recompense Rufus
• no - Anslem refused to pay for something he believed he should have by right

Question 19

who lost the council of rockingham

Answer 19

rufus

Question 20

how was the peace after the council of Rockingham short lived?

Answer 20

Anslem continued to be concern over perceived immoral behaviour and asked Urban II for help
WR refused to agree to this and arranged for Anslem to be deported in 1087

Question 21

who was the pope at the time?

Answer 21

Urban II

Question 22

how did the papal split suit WR?

Answer 22

he had little interest in papal affairs
papacy showed minimal concern for what was happening in England

Question 23

why did William recognise Urban II as pope?

Answer 23

He had to call for Anselm’s pallium

Question 24

what was the agreement between Urban II and WR?

Answer 24

William would recognise him as pope
Urban would respect the king’s secular authority

Question 25

what reform movement was Urban II and Anselm's reforms based on? what did this emphasise?

Answer 25

Gregorian reform movement - clergy focus on developing moral integrity - independence from secular affairs - monks to be celibate

Question 26

what led to greater support for Urban II?

Answer 26

- calling the 1st Crusade in 1095

Question 27

what did Anslem fleeing to Rome show?

Answer 27

- key members of the clergy were no longer willing to accept the total authority of the English king over the English Church