St Anselm vs. the English Kings – The 11th‑Century Investiture Clash

This episode examines how Archbishop Saint Anselm of Canterbury clashed with successive English monarchs over who had the right to appoint bishops, a dispute that forced political and ecclesiastical powers into negotiation. We explore William Rufus’ insistence on royal prerogative, Anselm’s exile and appeals to Rome, and Henry I’s compromise that reshaped church‑state relations in medieval England. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices