ABSTRACT
The ideal of Innocent III was a spiritual one. The weakness of Innocent’s position had lain in the fact that Henry III had to rely almost entirely on the efforts of the archbishops and bishops for the carrying out of his policy. Incidentally, however, in Convocation, protests had been made against royal interference with elections, and the bishops had decided on measures to protect the privilegium fori against the usurpations of lay courts. In practice, however, and the distinction is peculiarly characteristic of the Medieval Church, it was merely of great authority, local needs, local traditions, and their own predilections constantly influencing the bishops in its enforcement. In practice, however, and the distinction is peculiarly characteristic of the Medieval Church, it was merely of great authority, local needs, local traditions, and their own predilections constantly influencing the bishops in its enforcement.
