The eleventh and twelfth centuries were a period of reform within the church. Not only did they see the creation of new religious orders and the foundation of an immense number of religious houses, they were characterised also by the elaboration of canon law and by an attempt on the part of the church – in the main successful – to rid itself of every vestige of secular control. On the highest plane the church fought with the lay power in the Investiture Conflict for the right to choose and invest its own bishops, and, at lower level, it set its face against the control which lay patrons continued to exercise over both the appointment of priests and the incomes of their patronal churches.

The parochial system, as it had evolved both in England and over much of western Europe, had many defects in the eyes of the church.