Medieval History Term of the Week: Pallium
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia:
The modern pallium is a circular band about two inches wide, worn about the neck, breast, and shoulders, and having two pendants, one hanging down in front and one behind. The pendants are about two inches wide and twelve inches long, and are weighted with small pieces of lead covered with black silk. The remainder of the pallium is made of white wool, part of which is supplied by two lambs presented annually as a tax by the Lateran Canons Regular to the Chapter of St. John on the feast of St. Agnes, solemnly blessed on the high altar of that church after the pontifical Mass, and then offered to the pope.
In a historical context (same source):
It is impossible to indicate exactly when the pallium was first introduced. According to the “Liber Pontificalis”, it was first used in the first half of the fourth century. This book relates, in the life of Pope Marcus (d. 336), that he conferred the right of wearing the pallium on the Bishop of Ostia, because the consecration of the pope appertained to him. At any rate, the wearing of the pallium was usual in the fifth century; this is indicated by the above-mentioned reference contained in the life of St. Marcus which dates from the beginning of the sixth century, as well as by the conferring of the pallium on St. Cæsarius of Arles by Pope Symmachus in 513. Besides, in numerous other references of the sixth century, the pallium is mentioned as a long-customary vestment.
From the Eighth Ecumenical Council: Constantinople IV 869-70:
We decree that the customary signs or marks (liturgical vestments) that characterize the various ecclesiastical orders be retained in each province and locality. Bishops to whom the pallium has been granted shall wear it only at certain times and places and not indiscriminately to satisfy a spirit of self-love and a desire for vain glory. Monks who have been raised to the episcopal dignity must retain the monastic habit, and no one is permitted to lay it aside without becoming a violator of his own agreements. Every bishop, therefore, who wears the pallium outside the times prescribed, or lays aside the monastic habit, if he does not submit to correction, let him be deposed.
*image is of Pope Innocent III (1160 - 1216), wearing a pallium
Filed under: Middle Ages History, Medieval Glossary, Medieval History on June 25th, 2010
A bishop’s pallium conveyed real power in the medieval Church. Its symbolism in the following passage demonstrates that power:
The moment King Henry II promoted his bosom friend Thomas Becket from being his chancellor to being the archbishop of Canterbury, Becket responded by ceasing to cooperate with King Henry (the power temporal), turning to serve instead the power spiritual (the Church). From firm friends, the two men became fast foes.
Here, Henry II’s consort, Eleanor of Aquitaine, describes their Channel crossing to Southampton in 1162, anticipating trouble when Henry confronted Becket, waiting dockside to greet the royal couple with their son, Young Henry .
Eleanor writes: “There was not a person in our party who did not wonder how the king would greet his former chancellor. It was said that Becket met Henry “without true goodwill.” They were both apprehensive. We managed to journey together to London with civil discourse, but heated argument began soon afterward.
“The reason for discord was clear. Becket no sooner took his pallium of office from Canterbury Cathedral’s high altar than he began to erase the inroads of the king’s laws in Church affairs — the same civil and criminal laws he and Henry had fought together to impose through a new system of county courts eight years before.”
I am grateful to Steven Till for hosting a giveaway of two copies of my fact-based book of historical fiction, “Power of a Woman. Memoirs of a turbulent life: Eleanor of Aquitaine.” As Eleanor presents it, Becket’s pallium conveyed real authority against the power temporal, hence the title of the chapter from which I took this excerpt: “From love to hate: a bridge soon crossed.”