investiture controversy history and significance
Investiture Controversy: History and Significance
The Investiture Controversy was a conflict that erupted between the Church and Medieval Europe monarchs over the appointing (investing) of powerful local church figures like bishops and abbots. It took place around the 11th and 12th century. This Buzzle article gives the definition, history, and significance of the Investiture Controversy, for better understanding.
Did You Know?
The word investiture is derived from Latin, in vestire, which means dress in robe.The conflict that arose between the Church and Monarchy of Medieval Europe in the 11th and 12th century is the actual Investiture Controversy definition. The Investiture Controversy is also known as 'Lay Investiture Controversy' or 'Investiture Contest'.
The significance of the Investiture Controversy is the power shift it brought in Europe from the Medieval monarchs to the Church. The strife between the Church and the monarchs began with the struggle over investiture between Pope Gregory VII and Henry IV: Holy Roman Emperor.
Timeline of the Controversy
| ―1059 | Synod of the Lateran bans lay investiture. |
| ―1073 | German King Henry IV opposes the ban on investiture, starting the Investiture Controversy. |
| ―1075 | Henry IV defies the ban on investiture, and invests the archbishop of Milan, Italy. |
| ―1076 | Henry IV challenges the gained papacy of Gregory VII, that leads to his excommunication by the Pope. In the same year, the king apologizes to the Pope, and the excommunication is lifted. |
| ―1080 | Henry IV is excommunicated again, as the Pope realizes that the king has no intention to abide by the new rules. The king responds by appointing an 'anti-pope'. |
| ―1095 | Council of Clermont bans lay investiture again. |
| ―1105 | Henry I of England and Pope Paschal II reach a compromise that reverses the earlier papal decree banning investiture. |
| ―1111 | Henry V of Germany opposes the solution to the Investiture Controversy offered by Pope Paschal II, and imprisons the Pope after he refuses to anoint Henry V as emperor. |
| ―1112 | During imprisonment, the Pope accepts the king's terms on investiture, along with a promise to crown Henry V as emperor, and never to excommunicate him. Once freed from captivity, the Pope rejects the terms he had agreed to during his imprisonment. |
| ―1122 | The Pope and monarch compromise in a meeting at Worms, known as the Concordat of Worms. This put an end to the Investiture Controversy. |
Important Documents
- Dictatus Papae: This was composed by Pope Gregory VII in 1075. It put a ban on investiture. It also stated that the Pope alone could appoint or depose the offices of the Church.
- Letter to Henry IV from Pope: Gregory VII had sent a letter to Henry IV to obey the Papal mandates, or face the consequences. This letter was sent in December 1075.
- Henry IV's Reply: Henry IV replied to the Pope's letter in January 1076. This letter, that initiated the tussle, was drafted in Worms, at the council of imperial church leaders that Henry IV had convened.
- Excommunication of Henry IV: This document was about the first excommunication of Henry IV by the Pope. It was also about the deposition of the king from his throne. This was issued in February 1076.
- Concordat of Worms: This document put the curtains on the Investiture Controversy. It was signed by Emperor Henry V and Pope Calixtus II, in 1122.
What was the Outcome of the Investiture Controversy?
As a outcome of this controversy, the role of the monarch in appointing a Church office was eliminated. The king could no longer claim that he had the authority from God to appoint Church authorities. It also resulted in increased papal strength.