Tension between bishop and count in 12th century + existence of "chaplains"

[rosesnake]

Hello everyone,

I'm not so much looking for answers to a question here as advice and suggestions (hope that's ok).

My situation is this :

Comments

2/2.

[irreparable]

What about when the count is away from his central city (and the centre of the bishop see) ? Would somebody be delegated to accompany him when he travels (to his various vassal fiefs and to war) ? The bishop can not be expected to follow him around everywhere, can he ?
Usually the bish and a chaplain and a novice (so he was suitably attended) would go with the duke. The duke can forbid him to go, though. Up to the bish if he wants to obey that, or complain to the pope and the cardinals in Rome about what's going on (which would also add to the tension).

How much leeway would he have about that ? How much could he avoid and how much could the bishop force him to do ? I'm thinking of him going to mass in other churches whenever possible (whenever he visits a vassal fief or is in Jerusalem for exemple) and confessing to the priest/bishop/Patriarch there. Would that be allowed ?
Not a lot. The church really did control the majority of life in the medieval world. Especially on crusade, as this was a holy war. The duke could definitely go to mass in other churches when out and about, and it's likely that his bish at home would hear about whether or not he attended from those other bishops. The content of his confessions wouldn't be discussed, though.

And if the bishop delegate someone, what would be the rank of such a delegate (a mere priest, a monk, one of the bishop's cannons, ...) ? What would he be called ? What would he be expected to do ?
Probably a priest, not a monk or accolyte, that's for sure. One of his chaplains could do the job. If the bish was ill, which was common, too, that could be cause for him to delegate someone else to go in his stead. That person would be expected to hold mass, administer to the dead and dying, lead any prayer services, hear confessions, serve communion, etc.

“chaplain” merely meant the priest in charge of the castle's chapel. Would someone like that exist in Tripoli at the time ? Or would the bishop essentially be the chaplain of Tripoli (the castle's chapel then being the cathedral) ? And if a separate chaplain existed, what would his involvement be in the count's life (if any) ?
I think I've covered all of that above, if not, hit me up again. :)

Hope this helps and it's my pleasure.

RE: 2/2.

[irreparable]

Thank you for such a detailled and clear answer ! It helps a lot !

Thanks again.