Lay investure

Lay investiture was a practice in medieval Europe where secular rulers, such as kings and emperors, appointed bishops and other church officials. This practice was controversial because it gave secular rulers too much power over the church, which should have been independent. The controversy surrounding lay investiture came to a head in the 11th century when Pope Gregory VII issued a decree forbidding lay investiture. This led to a conflict between the pope and Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV, who refused to comply with the decree. The conflict ended with Henry IV being excommunicated by the pope. The controversy over lay investiture highlighted the tension between secular and religious authority in medieval Europe. It also showed how important the church was in medieval society, as even secular rulers sought to control it. Ultimately, lay investiture was abolished by the Concordat of Worms in 1122, which established that only church officials could appoint bishops and other high-ranking clergy. This helped to strengthen the independence of the church and ensure that it remained separate from secular power.