i GROWTH OF THE MEDIEVAL CHURCH 281 papal absolutism, were generally accepted in the Middle Ages. The chief allies of the Papacy, however, were not dis- contented bishops seeking their own ends, but the monks. Bishops had many worldly concerns ; some were Relations of rulers of small states themselves, others were bish °P s anc * • c tm • • monks to advisers and helpers of kings. Their selection state and was usually influenced by the secular rulers, and Pa P ac y as a result they were often ambitious nobles or relatives of king or feudal lord. They sometimes, therefore, did not care greatly for the religious side of their office, and they almost always sympathized with the locality or nationality to which they belonged. Monks had less interest in worldly things and were apt to be devoted to the Papacy, to which they looked for special favors and for freedom from episcopal or other local control. Feudal nobles, however, looked covet- ously upon the richly endowed monasteries and often sought the office of abbot for the sake of the lands. About 910 the Abbey of Cluny had been founded in the Duchy of Burgundy with complete immunity from feudal or ecclesiastical control except that of the pope. The Con _ It soon acquired great fame by its r evival of gregation mon astic ideals. Its monks really lived up to their rule and were models of ascetic devotion. They were well educated, engaging in intellectual rather than manual labor, although they spent a few hours shelling beans and digging weeds in order to make themselves feel properly humble. They conducted excellent schools, were very hospitable, and their charity to the poor won them both great popularity and many donations. Cluny was fortunate during the first two centuries of its existence in a remarkable succession of abbots, some of whom had very long terms of office. Each one practically chose his own successor and trained him for his task. Finally it became the custom that the Grand Prior should always succeed to the abbotship. Cluny became so celebrated that there was not room in one monastery for all who wished to join. So the " Congrega- tion of Cluny " was formed. More monasteries were founded
