6 - THE IMPACT OF THE CAPETIAN CONQUEST OF 1204/6

Summary

The preceding chapters have shown that in Normandy considerably fewer men with close connections to the royal court became bishops after the Capetian conquest than before. In Greater Anjou, by contrast, the personal background of the men elected changed very little after the conquest. This chapter examines in detail the nature of the conquest's impact on the framework of elections in both regions.

The topic can be approached from two perspectives: first, the approach from the ‘top’, that is looking at the actions of the victorious and defeated kings. Philip Augustus dispossessed John and became his successor to the prerogatives enjoyed by the Norman dukes and Angevin counts. As a result, the Angevins no longer took part in the electoral process. They also lost any informal role in elections (except perhaps for the election of Nicholas at Le Mans in 1214, when the presence of John and his army may have worked in Nicholas' favour). Only the fear of Angevin counterattack, which possibly caused suspicion and resentments at the Capetian court against candidates with English connections, preserved any role for the Angevins.

The second approach looks at the consequences of the actions of the conquering king on the conquered localities. This requires, first, an analysis of the Capetians' policy towards elections before and after 1204/6 and of their methods of dealing with the conquered provinces. Then it is necessary to examine the policies pursued by the cathedral chapters.