Celibacy

Many priests were married despite Church teaching on celibacy, and some lacked the education needed to read Latin. Local landowners who founded churches could also clash with bishops over control of priests and parishes. These problems help explain the later drive for more consistent supervision and religious standards.

At the Council of Winchester in 1076, rules on clerical celibacy were tightened. Cathedral clergy faced stricter requirements, while already-married rural priests were allowed to remain married. New appointments were expected to follow the celibacy rules.