Episcopal power in Anglo-Norman England, 1066-1135
The thesis presents an empirical view of episcopal power in England from 1066 to 1135. For simplicityâs sake, âpowerâ is defined as efficacy, or the ability to achieve oneâs ends. No formal distinction is made here between âpowerâ and âauthorityâ. The bulk of the thesis (Chapters 3-5) consists of three case studies: the first examines the political relationship between bishops, the papacy and the kings of England; the second looks at episcopal landholding; and the third considers disputes between bishoprics and abbeys. These case studies start by asking what bishops did: what their political goals were and the extent to which they achieved them. They then ask how bishops did what they did: what resources bishops deployed; why certain actions were possible; why certain strategies were or were not successful. By doing this it is possible to determine the nature of the power which bishops exercised. Three conclusions emerge: firstly, that episcopal power was highly dependent on royal power in this period; secondly, that the basis of episcopal power was often intangible (ideology or personality), rather than material (land or money); and thirdly, that episcopal power was inherently limited, in
O'Rourke, Samuel
Episcopal power in Anglo-Norman England, 1066-1135. The thesis presents an empirical view of episcopal power in England from 1066 to 1135. For simplicityâs sake, âpowerâ is defined as efficacy, or the ability to achieve oneâs ends. No formal distinction is made here between âpowerâ and âauthorityâ. The bulk of the thesis (Chapters 3-5) consists of three case studies: the first examines the political relationship between bishops, the papacy and the kings of England; the second looks at episcopal landholding; and the third considers disputes between bishoprics and abbeys. These case studies start by asking what bishops did: what their political goals were and the extent to which they achieved them. They then ask how bishops did what they did: what resources bishops deployed; why certain actions were possible; why certain strategies were or were not successful. By doing this it is possible to determine the nature of the power which bishops exercised. Three conclusions emerge: firstly, that episcopal power was highly dependent on royal power in this period; secondly, that the basis of episcopal power was often intangible (ideology or personality), rather than material (land or money); and thirdly, that episcopal power was inherently limited, in
episcopal power anglo_norman england present_empirical view episcopal power england simplicity sake power define efficacy ability achieve end formal distinction_make power_authority bulk consist_three case_study first examines political relationship bishop papacy king england second_look episcopal landholding third_considers dispute abbey case_study start ask bishop political goal extent achieve them ask bishop resource bishops deploy certain action possible certain strategy successful possible_determine nature power bishop exercise conclusion emerge firstly episcopal power highly dependent royal_power period secondly basis episcopal power often intangible ideology personality rather material land money thirdly episcopal power inherently limit