Laymen and church reform around the year 1000: the case of Otto-William, count of Burgundy
Constance B. Bouchard
The frequently-expressed idea that the church reform of eleventh century was only possible when churches were removed from lay control is a product perceptions late rather than early century. In fact, in France began long before papal directives had begun to remove laymen ecclesiastical affairs, at time most controlled by local nobility. example Otto-William, count Burgundy beginning century, illustrative seeming paradox that, around year 1000, an ambitious territorial prince could also be considered, his ecclesiastic contemporaries, as model patron reform. resolved understanding saw no incompatibility between and Rather, reformers needed give them land protect them; reformed monks, men undoubted sanctity, pray for their sinful souls. As case Otto-William indicates, princes not necessarily enemies but often allies.
Journal of Medieval History