Concordat of Worms
The
Concordat of Worms, sometimes called the
Pactum Calixtinum by papal historians, was an agreement between
Pope Calixtus II and Holy Roman Emperor
Henry V on
September 23 1122 near the city of
Worms. It brought to an end the first phase of the power struggle between the
Papacy and the
Holy Roman Emperors. The King was recognized as having the right to invest bishops with secular authority ("by the lance") in the territories they governed, but not with sacred authority ("by ring and
staff").
Following efforts by Lamberto Scannabecchi (later
Pope Honorius II) and the
Diet of Würzburg (1121) in 1122, Pope Calixtus II and Holy Roman Emperor Henry V agreed to end the
Investiture Controversy. By the terms of the agreement, the election of bishops and abbots in Germany was to take place in the emperor's presence as judge between potentially disputing parties,
free of bribes, thus retaining to the emperor a crucial role in choosing these great territorial magnates of the Empire. Beyond the borders of the Empire, in
Burgundy and
Italy, the Emperor was to forward the symbols of authority within six months. Calixtus' reference to the feudal homage due the emperor on appointment is guarded: "shall do unto thee for these what he rightfully should" was the wording of the
privilegium granted by Calixtus. The Emperor's right to a substantial imbursement on the election of a bishop or abbot was specifically denied.
The Emperor renounced the right to invest them with ring and
crosier, the symbols of their spiritual power, and guaranteed election by the canons of cathedral or abbey and free consecration. The two parties ended by granting one another peace.
The Concordat was confirmed by the
First Council of the Lateran in
1123.
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Concordat: text in English
