An'selm, Archbishop of Canterbury, was born in Piedmont in 1033. He studied at Bec in Normandy and became renowned for his learning. He was elected abbot of Bec in 1078, and in 1093 was chosen archbishop of Canterbury in England. Anselm quarreled so fiercely with the king, William Rufus, in regard to the relation of church and state that he was exiled from England. He was recalled by Henry I with whom the quarrel was continued. The controversy was finally settled by a compromise. The king permitted the bishops to be elected, though the election was to take place at his court. The rights of the crown were secured by the act of homage on the part of the bishops when they received their lands; the spiritual rights of the church were recognized by the anointing of the bishops by the archbishop and their investiture with ring and crozier at his hands. Papal jurisdiction was not excluded, but no papal legate could come into England without the king's permission. Anselm was the author of many books on theology and philosophy. He died in Canterbury in 1109, and was buried there.
For works with similar titles, see Anselm.