The Christian Church in Norman Britain |
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| Archbishop Lanfranc reformed the leadership of the English churches and monasteries, bringing four bishops and twenty-two abbots from Normandy to replace those who were not living as they should. Good English bishops were left in place - two (Ethelwig and Wulfstan) even became saints. 'Canon' law was brought over from the continent to guide church life. | |
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Saxon and Norman priests wore brightly coloured robes, very different from the plain black we usually see today. Many English priests were also married (they were all supposed to be celibate - unmarried). That was something Lanfranc did not manage to change! Archbishop Lanfranc died at Canterbury in 1089. |
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The nave in Chichester Cathedral Photograph by Mike Strange |
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