...MONASTERIES in the 9th/10th century :
.....centers of learning (higher education), centers of research, centers of advanced economic production, shelters for travelling dignitaries
...CHURCH OFFICIALS in the 9th/10th century (Bishops, Abbots):
.....were political figures, as they could read and write and just were better qualified than illiterate noblemen for certain state offices
.....as they had to respect CELIBACY, they had no legitimate heirs who could claim to inherit their positions; they were thus more trustworthy
than lay noblemen
.....as they read and spoke Latin, they were suited to function in international diplomacy
...Positions in high church administration were dominated by nobility. Most monasteries accepted only noblemen as novices; the decision
who was to become bishop often was made by the king : watch BECKET (movie).
...CLUNY
.....Abbot St. Odo, Cluniacensian Reform : Monastery shall concentrate on the monks' original task : to prey, to serve god. BENEDICTINE RULE
shall be enforced.
.....many monasteries place themselves under the supervision of Cluny; many new monasteries are founded.
.....Cluniacensian monasteries centers of Church Reform Movement
.....New monastic orders (reform protagonists) : CISTERCIANS, who search isolation, found monasteries in remote places, PREMONSTRATENSIANS.
...Reform Church Movement criticizes scandals in the church such as SIMONY (sale of church office), disregard of CELIBACY, state interference
in church affairs
...Reforms
.....Regional Synods outlaw Simony, proclaim TREUGA DEI (Peace of God); feuds are restricted to Monday morning to Wednesday nightfall
...Finally, Reformists appointed popes
.....Popes/Germany : CONFLICT OF INVESTITURES; Pope demands Emperor to stop influencing the elections of bishops (as bishops take charge
of important state offices, the Emperors do not want to give in ; CANOSSA)
.....England : Henry II./Thomas BECKET
...Reform Church promotes CRUSADES
.....BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX
This page is part of World History at KMLA Last revised on June 28th 2001
