Hello and welcome to the history of the Germans, Episode 42, a world revolution.

In this episode we'll come to the end of the Investiture Controversy, the end of the

Salian dynasty and the end of season two.

And then we asked the question, what was all

that about? Before we start, just a reminder, the history of the Germans podcast is advertising

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All you have to do is sign up at patreon.com slash history of the Germans or on my website

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Last week we ended with the Emperor Henry V and the Pope Calixtus II, getting within

a hair's breadth of an agreement that would have brought the investiture conflict in Germany

to an end.

Over almost 50 years of war, the church and the secular rulers have narrowed down the

so-called investiture controversy to just one question.

How are bishops and abbots appointed?

Both France and England have settled the issue with the papacy in 1104 and 1107.

In France, the arrangement was that the church was free to select its bishops and

abbots. However, once selected, the bishop or abbot would have to spare fealty to the king

and offer him the services associated with the feasts the church had received. In England,

that rule was similar with a crucial difference that the king was allowed to be present

at the election, and he had a casting vote in case no unanimous decision could be agreed.

...