The Peace of Venice

As we saw, the long war between the papacy and the emperor over lay investiture was terminated by the Concordat of Worms, September 23, 1122. As was explained, according to the articles of this Concordat, the bishops in their capacity of temporal rulers, continued in the possession of their estates but as vassals of the emperor and thus under his overlordship. Only as spiritual rulers should they be subject to the pope. Their election should be the sole task of the clergy and the people with...