priests and deacons who were authorized or ordained or “vested” with their authority by virtue of the authority that God had invested in the office of Saint Peter’s successor. In reaction to the papal claims, kings reacted by asserting their own “divine right” to invest power in local bishops. Since bishops often controlled large regions around major cities, and therefore had powerful control over property, it is easy to understand why medieval kings would want a say in who was appointed. But the