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The Normans invaded England with the blessing of the Pope, who had already excommunicated the Archbishop of Canterbury. By giving William the Papal banner the Pope had more or less declared the invasion to be a Crusade. We know what happened to the Church after William the Bastard won, but what if Harold had won? Is the breach between Canterbury and Rome going to be permanent, like that between Rome and Constantinople? If it is what of the other British Churches, in Scotland, Wales and to a lesser extent Ireland? Is their future bound up with the Church in England? For that matter, what of the Archbishop of York? Does he follow the lead of Canterbury or look independently to Rome for guidance?
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