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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture The short version of my query is whether list members know of concrete examples of the pope personally giving dispensation to enable someone to accept an episcopacy, or granting absolution for serious crimes, during the twelfth or thirteenth centuries? In the case of absolution, what would the procedure have been when a sinner arrived from the frozen north saying he could only be absolved in Rome? Details follow for those who are interested. I'm looking more for concrete examples than theory, though every little bit helps! I have three examples of people said to have gone to the Rome for dispensation or absolution. One case involved a twice-married bishop, the other two absolution for acts of violence; in two cases the foundation of a new diocese was probably an issue, and perhaps the real reason for the trip. The first instance is earl Thorfinn of Orkney, who after a viking career is said to have gone south to Rome, met the pope (presumably Leo IX, 1049-55) and been absolved of his sins, after which he returned to Orkney and founded Christchurch at Birsay, 'where an episcopal see was first established': this has been read as indicating that Thorfinn himself founded the see. Jón Ögmundarson, first bishop of Hólar, Iceland went to Rome, his saga tells us, because having been married twice he needed, and received, papal dispensation to become bishop. Stephen Kuttner has argued that the Pope Paschal II could not possibly have given such dispensation. More to the point with regard to Jón's journey is that his appointment would have resulted in the creation of a new diocese, and the Archdiocese for Scandinavia at this time (1106), Lund, was itself only a year or two old. Assuming Jón actually raised the matter, is it not conceivable that the creation of a new bishopric in the remote north would not outweigh Jón´s marital status in the eyes of the pope? Finally, Sturla Sighvatsson is said to have received absolution of all of his, and his father´s , sins in Rome c. 1233. We are told that he was led barefoot among all the churches in Rome and beaten at the main ones. He was in the company of a Norwegian bishop who had his own business in Rome, and we are not actually told that Sturla was absolved by the pope. Authors of these sagas must have been aware of archepiscopal fulminations against violence directed to Iceland at the end of the 12th century, including the idea that violence against the church and its members resulted in excommunication that could only be lifted by the pope himself. Thanks in advance to anyone who can shed light on this, Meg ********************************************************************** To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask] To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask] To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask] In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: [log in to unmask] For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html