Investitures refer to the formal ceremony or process of granting authority or office to an individual, often involving the presentation of symbols of power. This practice has historical significance in various cultures and is commonly associated with the appointment of leaders, such as monarchs or bishops, who receive their roles through a ritualistic event. In medieval Europe, investitures were particularly important in the context of the Catholic Church and the Holy Roman Empire. The ceremony typically included the bestowal of items like a crown or staff, signifying the recipient's new responsibilities and the trust placed in them by their predecessors or governing bodies.