ABSTRACT
The English Christendom as portrayed in Bede was cast in terms of the authority structures of the time. These continued to develop in the following centuries up until great change of the Norman Conquest in 1066. William the Conqueror clearly wanted to bring the English under his rule, but it is noticeable that he took account of previous English traditions, especially in clerical matters. He took an early opportunity to bring in an Italian-born, Norman-trained monk, Lanfranc of Bec, to be archbishop of Canterbury. Between them they laid the foundations of the Anglo-Norman form of the English Christendom that continued for several centuries. Lanfranc’s position as first advisor to the king was confirmed with the establishment of the Primacy of Canterbury against claims from York. Lanfranc and William used councils to carry through the reform of the church and the courts of bishops were given confirmed identity and standing. The reforming Pope Gregory VII sought fealty from William but was rebuffed and Lanfranc kept a studied independence from Rome.
