I need some information on the The Council of Lambeth (1281). Did it restrict receiving the wine to the Priest only, if so why, and when was this lifted?
The Council of Lambeth was not an Ecumenical Council of the Church, but a regional synod of bishops held to institute various reforms in the local church. As such, it had the power to establish disciplinary norms for the region (such as restriction of the cup to the clergy), but not to dictate dogmatic principles.
I have never done any great historical research into the question, but it is generally believed that these restrictions were put in place to combat the Utraquist heresy (google Utraquism), which holds that both species must be received in order to communicate fully. (Then again, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia the false doctrine of Utraquism “was first promulgated in 1414,” nearly a century and a half after the Council of Lambeth.) But it was always understood that these restrictions were a prudential, not a doctrinal, issue. That is why Session XXII, Chapter XI of the Council of Trent (1562) could contain the following remarks by the Council Fathers:
DECREE TOUCHING THE PETITION FOR THE CONCESSION OF THE CHALICE.
Moreover, whereas the same sacred and holy Synod, in the preceding Session, reserved unto another time, for an opportunity that might present itself, two articles to be examined and defined, which (articles) had been proposed on another occasion, but had not then been as yet discussed, to wit, whether the reasons by which the holy Catholic Church was led to communicate, under the one species of bread, laymen and also priests when not celebrating, are in such wise to be adhered to, as that on no account is the use of the chalice to be allowed to any one soever; and, whether, in that case, for reasons beseeming and consonant with Christian charity, it appears that the use of the chalice is to be granted to any nation, or kingdom, it is to be conceded under certain conditions; and what are those conditions; It has now,–in Its desire that the salvation of those, on whose behalf the request is made, may be provided for in the best manner,–decreed, that the whole business be referred to our most holy lord, as by this present decree It doth refer it; who, of his singular prudence, will do that which he shall judge useful for the Christian commonweal, and salutary for those who ask for the use of the chalice.
