The Church, Warfare and Military Obligation in Norman Italy
G. A. Loud
One of the most important intellectual problems which Church faced in Middle Ages was to reconcile warfare with Christian message. But presence of, and necessity for, war affected not merely attitudes social message medieval ecclesiastics. The institutional obvious practical when confronted external or civil disturbance. On one hand ruler might well, indeed usually did, require churches extensive property wealth contribute burden defending community. other especially if ruler’s authority weak, face need defend themselves against aggression their neighbours. Churches therefore needed a military potential, whether state laid this obligation upon them. Even Church’s attempts control warfare, Peace Truce God movements, tended embroil it activity, since exhortation spiritual sanction often backing force convince recalcitrant laity virtues bridling its internal violence.
Studies in Church History