lay investiture

American  

[ley in-ves-ti-cher, -choor] / ˈleɪ ɪnˈvɛs tɪ tʃər, -ˌtʃʊər /

noun

1. (in medieval Europe) bestowal of a church office by a member of the secular nobility rather than by church officials.

   Pope Gregory VII prohibited lay investiture of bishops and, in 1076, excommunicated the Holy Roman Emperor for his resistance.

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Etymology

Origin of lay investiture

First recorded in 1610–20

Example Sentences

It especially resented the practice of lay investiture, a ceremony in which kings and nobles appointed church officials.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

The successors of Gregory and Henry continued to fight over lay investiture until 1122.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

In 1075, Pope Gregory VII banned lay investiture.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

Whoever controlled lay investiture held the real power in naming bishops, who were very influential clergy that kings sought to control.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

The strife respecting lay investiture was the ruin of the bearded Geoffrey; he claimed the investiture of the Abbot of Marmoutiers as a temporal baron, and thus caused himself to be excommunicated.

From Cameos from English History, from Rollo to Edward II by Yonge, Charlotte Mary