“What in hell ,or in heaven, are we going to do about the Church?”

“My Brother, my appeal to the Pope goes unanswered. I doubt it even gets to his Holiness. If it does, we offer no written proof. When our argument goes to the Holy See, we only present your word. To us it is law; to the Church Court it is heresay. Understand, it was like Conan’s claim that he was promised the Dukedom of Normandy. Certainly, it wasn’t written down.

Odo was intent on avoiding a fit of rage by his brother, but to his surprise William answered, “I can see that. It’s a problem having a Pope in Rome who doesn’t know Normandy from Norway. What can we do?”

“My Lord, I called on Father Francis. May I bring him in?”

“If the devil had the answer, I’d have him in.” and Odo went to the door to summon his workhorse.

“My Lord, Father Francis.”

“My Lord.”

“Welcome Father. We need a new direction in our appeal to Rome. Your Bishop thinks you may have the answer.”

“Yes, My Lord. I despair of you ever gaining his Holiness’s support in a sectarian matter. If you don’t know what to have for supper, you don’t ask your cobbler, and if your shoes pinch you don’t ask your cook. Do you see what I mean?”

“Yes, I believe so.”

“A question for the Pope should be a question of religion. A question for the Church Court should be a question of religion. Do you see?”

“Yes, certainly. But, Harold did break an oath taken on Holy Relics.”

“Juvenile, My Lord. A child’s tattle, a confession.” Before William could anger he added, “not to you, but to the Church in Rome, the whole affair is piddling. We must base our argument on matters of the Church. And, back it with gold.”

“Those greedy pigs! I’ve sent them a fortune! What questions must we ask, Father, to resolve the problem?”

“I’m sorry, My Lord. The Church Court is unfamiliar to me. We need an expert.”

“Who?”

“My choice, My Lord, is a highly respected scholar of theology, the Prior of Bec Monastery, Prior Lanfranc.”

“Ah, yes. I should have known that myself. I’ve had dealings with Lanfranc before. Let’s set him to the task. Bishop Odo, Father Francis, see the Prior immediately. Carry a donation for his work.”

“Yes, My Lord.” and the two church members left immediately. It was a short ride of twenty miles even for the inexperienced Father Francis to le Bec Hellouin. They were greeted by an elderly monk and a tyro took their horses to the stable. The brown cassocked old fellow took them to a spare waiting room while he announced their arrival to Prior Lanfranc. It wasn’t long before the messenger hobbled back to the room.

“Prior Lanfranc will see you at once Bishop Odo and Father Francis.”

“Thank you, Brother. May the Lord be with you.”

But the old man led them three doors down and knocked politely.

“Come in,” a musical voice answered through the door.

“My Lord Bishop, Father Francis, May you walk with God.”

“Prior, how good of you to see us.”

“Sit, Gentlemen, sit! Brother Albert will bring us a beverage. Brother,” and the old man left. “You’ve ridden from Rouen. You are likely tired? Hungry? I thought so. Albert will arrange rooms for

you and you can join us in the evening meal. It’s not so grand as you are used to in Duke William’s court, but it is filling. And, how are things in Caen? Rouen?, some news from the secular world to brighten our seclusion.”

The three men launched into gossip of the day. The Prior was better informed than he pretended, but he was always interested in the political affairs of his adopted state. Brother Albert returned with mugs of cider , one of the products on the monastery. He was given instructions for the guests and collecting the young man who had tended the horses, he set off to prepare for the guests overnight stay. Eventually, the three were caught up with the monastic and secular news.

“Now, Gentlemen of the world, I suspect you had a specific reason for this visit. How may I help you?”

“Prior, we are not here for ourselves, but for Duke William. He offers this small tribute to you and the monastery for the fine work you do in Normandy.” Father Francis produced a purse of coins to follow the Bishop’s words- a sizable donation it seemed as the coins jingled on the desk.

“Thank you, Bishop, Father. Duke William has always been supportive of the Norman Church.” And he looked from Bishop to Father and back again.

Father Francis looked to Odo. Odo paused, seemingly appropriating the story he had to tell.

“Obviously, Prior, you are aware of Normandy’s preparation for invasion of England.”

“Yes, Bishop, I haven’t left the monastery for sometime, but mendicant monks have reported the massed armada at Dives and the increase of war games throughout the country-side.”

“Bien! For some years now we, that is the Duke’s court and Duke William, have been donating to the general funds of the Papal See. Of course, it was for the good of the universal church and the spread of Christianity among the heathen. We ask nothing in return for what is our Christian duty, but Papal blessing of our secular and regal battles would be a great aid in raising a force to contend with the usurper, Harold of Wessex.”

“Yes.” and the Prior smiled at the grand words, “it hasn’t been forthcoming?”

“In a word, Non!”

“And what did you expect of me?”

“My Lord, Prior,” Father Francis took over, “I suggested that the basis of our argument was of the affairs of men. We in Rouen need an argument of the Church.”

“I see, and so you came to me?”

“Prior Lanfranc, you are the most learned man of theology in all of France. If anyone can provide an answer to our enigma it is you.”

“Thank you, Father; you flatter me. I think I am aware of the Duke’s claims, but you must list the reasons for his claims in detail.”

Odo began the explanation. Lanfranc took notes: William’s distant relationship with Edward, Edward’s promise, Harold’s oath, Harold’s background, the Norman expulsion from England, The Duke of Boulogne.

“Yes, I see. Father may I have a word with the Bishop alone?”

“Certainly, Prior Lanfranc.” Francis left his chair and stepped outside the door.

“Bishop Odo, like you and Duke William I am satisfied with the benefits of Christianity, but I have spent thirty years in this scholarly background. Do you think there is any chance of advancement for me?”

“Prior, I’m almost certain there will be openings in the Church of Normandy or the Church of England particularly for a learned man with theological answers.”

“Very well, Bishop Odo. I will contemplate your problem.”

“And your solution?”

“Available on the seventh day. I will be in Rouen Castle one week from today.” He scooped the purse into his robes and called. “Albert,” and with a squeaking door Albert appeared, “see to the needs of

Bishop Odo, Brother. It is still one hour to our evening meal. Our chapel is very private.”

Odo didn’t bother.

Prior Lanfranc had the answer before he left his office. It would take a few days to set the wheels in motion. True to his word, which you would expect of a Prior, he met with Odo and Francis in one week for his audience with William of Normandy.

“Prior Lanfranc, how pleased I am to see you. Did you have a pleasant trip from Bec?”

“Thank you, My Lord. Yes, it is beautiful spring weather for an old fellow like me to appreciate.”

“You appear to be aging well, Prior.”

“Yes, My Lord, my health is good. A bland diet, daily exercise, and devotion to prayer have helped me avoid health problems.”

“Good. Pardon my impatience but I am aflame in anticipation of your analysis of our theological problem. Should we talk alone?”

“As you wish, Duke William. I would think the Bishop and the good Father might be interested, but the rest would find church affairs boring.”
“I suspect so. Gentlemen, you are dismissed.” and the room slowly emptied. “Well, Prior what was your decision?”

“My Lord, pardon my impatience, but what was your decision?”

William looked puzzled and then the light went on. Then he looked askance. However, he consented to answer. “The members of the Church who assist my ascension to the throne will be rewarded. The theologian that turns the Papacy behind Normandy will benefit the most. Is that what you mean?”

“We are all driven by something, My Lord.” He paused to select his words.

“ We as members of your team, must abandon all secular reasons for deposing King Harold. Oaths, promises and kinship are not reasons for Church support. Our one and only reason for invasion of England is the deplorable state of an unholy corrupt church. This crusade will sanitize a twisted evil growing in isolation from Europe. The English Church must be reformed:

Titles of the church have been purchased and sold.

Many titles have been used as bribes.

The Lords of the Church of England do not follow the Rules of Rome.

England’s Archbishop of Canterbury was illegally appointed.

England’s Archbishop of Canterbury holds two sees, Canterbury and Winchester.

Much of the Church liturgy is presented in English.

“That’s all very well, Prior, but will Rome act on such evidence?”

“I’ve considered that, My Lord. If you take England, and I have no doubt but what you will, it will be yours as a vassal to the Papacy. The Pope will have extended his power over Europe.

Secondly, it sets a precedent as the Pope is called upon to adjudicate a secular dispute over the Crown.”

What Lanfranc failed to mention was of major importance in the Papal decision. Cardinal Hildebrand, the Vatican politician and power behind the Papal throne, was a close colleague of Lanfranc the theological scholar. Hildebrand would see the affair as an increase of papal power. Popes could elect Kings. The Pope had gained the Holy See through the work of Hildebrand, and Lanfranc had been Pope Alexander II’s tutor. Then, Hildebrand and Lanfranc selected the most articulate lawyer to present the case, the Archdeacon of Lisieux. *

Of course, Harold would not be informed by the court. This was a problem of the English Church not the English Throne. The prosecution left for Rome with William’s whole-hearted approval.

8. Ibid. 101-102

Even without defense by the English Church, the court of the Vatican operated at a snail’s pace. The soup of the war council was stewing throughout the adjudication. May fifteenth, the Norman Church ambassadors rode into Rouen in a steady frigid rain off a cold front. If you could have seen their faces under their cowls or wanted to be out in the scud you wouldn’t have read their feelings in their facial expression. They were welcomed by sullen soaking guards and a dispirited hosteler. The hooded riders rushed inside and Hugh the butler supplied some dry and warm clothing. Duke William had waited so long another half hour would not matter. The Archdeacon of Lisieux, Father Francis and Bishop Odo came to make the long-awaited report.

“Gentlemen, God be with you. I realize how tired and uncomfortable you must be. I’ve ordered food and a warm bed for you. I appreciate your effort to make your report now.”

Lisieux stepped forward. “And with you, My Lord. the ecclesiastical court found in our favor. We may set out to clear the corruption that has crept into the English Church. We have here in oilskin a Papal Bull of blessing, a Papal banner to lead our forces and a Papal ring encompassing a relic of St. Peter for the leader of the expeditionary force to cure the English Church, Duke William of Normandy. The room stood and clapped their hands. “Thank God!”

The news spread swiftly through the castle.

“Will, we waited over a month for THIS! What in hell did we gain?”

“Thomas, I don’t know: a scrap of paper, a bit of rag, a coin of gold, and a finger of St. Peter?”

“I’d sooner have a Papal army!”