at Winchester, in the year 1070, and William was successful in his wish. This fact, of course, encouraged the Pope to impose himself on England. But at that time, remember, William was in a difficulty, and he only appealed to the Pope to help him to accomplish his own purposes. William's real mind respecting the Pope's authority is seen through other incidents. Green, the historian, says that with [1]"strictness William enforced his supremacy over the Church. Homage was exacted from Bishop as from baron. No royal vassal could be excommunicated without the king's license. No Synod could legislate without his previous assent, and subsequent confirmation of its decrees. No papal letters could be received within the realm, save by his permission. William was, indeed, the one ruler of his time who dared firmly to repudiate the claims which were now beginning to be put forward by the Court of Rome." These decisions, you notice, show that William took a strong stand against the Pope, and by this means the Pope's intentions towards England could not be realized before they would be stopped by William's absolute control. If William fought for anything, it was the insular independence of the Church of England.
When the famous Hildebrand was raised to the papal throne he renewed his Church's claim over our country. No doubt he was under the impression that England was under his control. He wrote to William demanding that his people should pay him Peter's pence, and, what was more audacious still, that William should do homage to him for his crown. This was the way the Popes had. If only they
- ↑ Short History (Edition 1882), p.82.
