Investiture Controversy

The Investiture Controversy was a conflict in the 11th and early 12th centuries between the papacy and European monarchs over who had the authority to appoint bishops and other church officials. Kings wanted to control church appointments to strengthen their power, while popes argued that only the Church should have that right to maintain its independence. This struggle highlighted the tension between spiritual authority and secular power in medieval Europe, leading to significant reforms and changes in the relationship between the Church and the state, ultimately shaping the governance of both institutions.