The ‘Imperial Church System’ of the Ottonian and Salian Rulers: a Reconsideration
Timothy Reuter
There is a general consensus among historians that there was something quite special about the church policy of Ottoman and Salian rulers Germany from Henry i to m. The normal reliance medieval king on his prelates here turned into deliberate systematic exploitation potential Church as an instrument government. These used bishops abbots, whom they appointed, counterweight turbulent unreliable lay nobility. Many have, so speak, followed them in this, have Ottomans' Salians' complex seemingly unsatisfactory relations with their aristocracy policy. Here seen plan, system harmony, much has come be regarded principal government available these rulers. Our picture 'imperial system', Reichskirchensystem German historians, been refined by recent scholarship, but essential outlines not greatly altered since time Waitz Giesebrecht. purpose what follows re-examine outlines. qualifications, doubts re-interpretations offered are all new; many expressed or at least hinted existing literature. But never fully articulated, it seems worth looking again whole ask how far fact did could performed functions usually attributed it, also system. focus attention will inevitably bishoprics (and lesser extent royal abbeys) before Investiture Contest, necessary look position elsewhere Europe this period, because appearance uniqueness fostered considering conditions Reich isolation
The Journal of Ecclesiastical History