On lay-abbots, see: Karl Voigt, Die karolingische Klosterpolitik und der
Niedergung des westfränkischen Königtuma. Laienäbte und Klosterinhaber (rpt.
1965; Stuttgart, 1917) and F. Felten, Abte und Laienäbte im Frankenreich.
Studie zum Verhältnis Staat und Kirche im früheren Mittelalter (Stuttgart,
1980). The duke of Aquitaine/count of Poitou was abbot of
Saint-Hilaire-le-Grand [Renoul I (839-866) was the first count of Poitou to
exercise authority over Saint-Hilaire-le-Grand as a benefice granted by King
Pippin I of Aquitaine].
Mike
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Christopher
> Crockett
> Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2000 10:33 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Canonesses
>
>
> "lay" "abbots" were a common occurance in the chaos which followed the
> collapse of the Carolingian imperium, late 9th-early 11th cc., as
> ecclesiastical --esp. monastic-- property was expropriated by lay powers
> ("fell into lay hands").
>
> e.g., the Robertians (>Capetians) took over *vast* estates
> belonging to [the
> destroyed] abbeys of --among others-- Fleury and St. Germian-des-Pres, and
> doled them out --along with the tithes due from the fruits of the
> land-- to
> their major _fedejessuori_.
>
> during the course of this process quite a few "monasteries"
> (which may have
> survived in name only) had lay "abbots" --Hugh Capet was abbot of St.
> Germain's at the least, if i recall correctly.
>
> during the course of the 11th and 12th centuries this property/tithes was
> "restored" to the church --though rarely (apparently) to the church which
> originally held it/them.
>
> best to all from here,
>
> christopher
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