... continental convention, allowed him to wield more power and influence over the English people through these men. An important example of this is the removal of Dorchester's bishopric to Lincoln, where, in the view of both William I and Lanfranc, the more unruly northerners would have greater need for the "Normanizing" influence of the bishopric rather than the calmer south. Lanfranc was William's right hand man, as well as holding the post of Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of the English church, and so after the death of William fitz Osborne, became acting regent of England whilst William was fighting abroad. By balancing his strong allegiance to William with his obedience to the Pope he was able both to place the views of the king before that of the church on numerous occasions whilst carrying out his own reforms of the church without interference from William. Lanfranc's greatest asset was ...

See this essay or coursework document in full right now