The Concordat of Worms (1122) was a significant compromise that ended the Investiture Controversy, a long-standing power struggle between the Papacy and the Holy Roman Emperors. Here's what it compromised:
* Emperor's Role: The Emperor renounced the right to invest bishops with the symbols of spiritual authority (the ring and staff). However, he retained the right to invest them with the symbols of temporal authority (the scepter).
* Church's Role: The Church gained the right to freely elect bishops. However, these elections were to take place in the presence of the Emperor or his representatives.
* Territorial Variations: In Germany, the Emperor could invest the bishop with temporal possessions before the spiritual investiture, essentially giving him more influence. In Italy and Burgundy, the spiritual investiture came first, reducing imperial influence.
In essence, the compromise allowed the church to select its own leaders, curbing some of the emperor's power over the church. The emperor retained influence by granting secular power and possessions to the bishops.