1st Edition

Popes and Church Reform in the 11th Century

By H.E.J. Cowdrey Copyright 2000
    320 Pages
    by Routledge

    The essays in this volume centre upon the epoch-making papacy of Gregory VII (1073-85), and complement the author’s major study of the pope. They look at the formation and expression of Gregory’s ideas, notably in relation to simony and clerical chastity, and emphasise his religious motivation; attention is also given to the impact of his pontificate on the Anglo-Norman lands and Scandinavia. The book further includes extended discussion of the contrasting figure of Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury (1070-89), and of the complex question of the interaction between him and Pope Gregory.

    Contents: Eleventh-century reformers’ views of Constantine; The spirituality of Pope Gregory VII; Pope Gregory VII and the chastity of the clergy; Simon Magus in south Italy; The Gregorian papacy and eremitical monasticism; The Papacy and the Berengarian controversy; The Gregorian reform in the Anglo-Norman lands and in Scandinavia; Pope Gregory VII and the bishoprics of central Italy; Death-bed testaments; Lanfranc, the papacy, and the see of Canterbury; The enigma of Archbishop Lanfranc; Index.

    Biography

    H.E.J. Cowdrey