User:Andreea Mihai/sandbox

    The Concordat of Bologna in 1516 made it so that the monarchy had control over who was appointed to a bishopship.Francis I who reigned from 1515-1547, appointed nobles of the sword or their family members as bishops.  Nominations required that the king’s nominee be at least twenty-seven years old, and have a doctor or licentiate in canon or civil law or a master or licentiate in theology. A nominee could be exempt from these education requirements if they were of royal blood or from the "great families". This gave the nobles better chances of obtaining bishopships. These appointments brought wealth to the nobles and ensured their continued loyalty to the monarchy. Francis I used these nominations to award the nobles for their loyalty. Often the individuals who had the king's favour were pluralitsts. Pluralists held up to twenty-three episcopal and archiepiscopal seats, recieving money from all the the multitude of these seats. Jean de Lorraine, who had a deep friendship with the king, and an a impressive ancestry along with his episcopal seats made him a very powerful figure. Some historians estimate his annual revenue as 30000 francs a year.Studies|year=1974|month=Spring|volume=8|issue=3|pages=377-392|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/286018%7Caccessdate=04/04/2013}}</ref> 
    To be considered a noble of the sword, a nominee had to a fourth generation noble. During the Renaissance, the nobles of the sword provided services for the monarchy, finding positions

in all branches of government. This was beneficial for the monarchy by reducing the potential for the nobility to revolt against it. The nobility of the sword often had members in the military, so maintaining good conections with the nobles not only ensured they would not revolt against the monarchy, but they would support it militarily. Recognizing the importance of maintaing strong relations with the monarch, many nobles remained at court rather than at their appointed seats so they could continue courting the good will of the king.