the significance of benefit of the clergy

• What was the argument made by senior Church officials during the medieval period regarding clergy trials?

  Clergy should only be tried in Church courts
• What is the benefit of the clergy?

  It allows clergy to be tried in Church courts
• How did Church courts differ from secular courts in terms of penalties?

  They imposed lenient penalties like pilgrimage
• What lenient penalties might Church courts impose instead of the death penalty?

  Pilgrimage or confession
• Why was the system of benefit of the clergy open to abuse?

  Anyone could claim to be a clergy member
• What was the test for claiming benefit of the clergy?

  The ability to read Psalm 51
• Why was Psalm 51 referred to as the ‘neck verse’?

  It could save someone from execution
• Who tried to limit the benefit of the clergy?

  Henry II
• What was the agreement called that Henry II made to limit the benefit of the clergy?

  The Constitutions of Clarendon
• Why was the Constitutions of Clarendon controversial?

  It caused a falling out with Thomas Becket
• What was a consequence of the leniency of Church courts?

  Public perceptions of injustice
• How did literacy relate to the benefit of the clergy?

  Only literate individuals could claim it