Clement V: Architect of the Avignon Papacy
An examination of the pontificate of Raymond Bertrand de Got, marked by the relocation of the Papacy to Avignon and the controversial dissolution of the Knights Templar.
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The Pontificate of Clement V
Overview
Pope Clement V, born Raymond Bertrand de Got, served as the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from June 5, 1305, until his death in April 1314. His pontificate is historically significant for the relocation of the papal court from Rome to Avignon, France, initiating the period known as the Avignon Papacy. He is also noted for his role in the suppression of the Knights Templar.
Papal Seat Relocation
A defining act of Clement V's pontificate was the transfer of the papal seat from Rome to Avignon, France. This move, initially justified by political instability and security concerns in Rome, marked the beginning of the Avignon Papacy (1309โ1377). This period saw the Papacy heavily influenced by the French crown, leading to criticisms of a 'Babylonian Captivity' of the Church.
Knights Templar Suppression
Clement V played a pivotal role in the dissolution of the Knights Templar. Under pressure from King Philip IV of France, who sought the order's wealth and influence, Clement initiated trials and ultimately suppressed the order in 1312. This action, though controversial, solidified the French monarchy's power and significantly altered the landscape of military religious orders.
Early Career and Rise
Education and Ecclesiastical Ascent
Born Raymond Bertrand de Got around 1264 in Villandraut, Gascony, Kingdom of France, he received his early education in arts at Toulouse and pursued studies in canon and civil law at Orlรฉans and Bologna. His career advanced rapidly within the Church hierarchy. He served as a canon and sacristan of the Cathedral of Saint-Andrรฉ in Bordeaux, and later as vicar-general to his brother, the Archbishop of Lyon.
Relationship with Philip IV
From his youth, Raymond Bertrand de Got maintained a close personal friendship with Philip IV of France, also known as Philip the Fair. This relationship would prove instrumental, and perhaps determinative, in his subsequent election to the papacy and the policies he would later enact.
The Conclave of 1305
A Contentious Election
Following the death of Pope Benedict XI in July 1304, the papal conclave held in Perugia was marked by significant disputes between the French and Italian cardinals. The deadlock created a prolonged interregnum. Raymond Bertrand de Got, who was neither Italian nor a cardinal at the time, was elected Pope Clement V in June 1305. His election was seen by some as a gesture towards neutrality, though contemporary accounts suggest potential prior agreements with Philip IV of France.
Coronation and Early Acts
Bertrand was formally recognized as pope and crowned on November 14, 1305, in Lyon, France, a choice influenced by King Philip IV. The coronation ceremony was grand but marred by tragedy when a wall collapsed during festivities, leading to the death of the Duke of Brittany. Among his initial acts was the creation of nine new cardinals, predominantly French, further solidifying the French influence within the College of Cardinals.
Key Pontifical Actions
The Knights Templar Affair
In 1307, King Philip IV of France initiated the arrest of hundreds of Knights Templar, accusing them of heresy and various abuses. Pope Clement V, influenced by Philip and concerned about the order's reputation and potential independent actions, eventually convened the Council of Vienne (1311โ1312). Although the council did not convict the Templars of heresy, Clement V abolished the order, citing their damaged reputation and obsolescence, and redistributed much of their wealth.
Crusades and Mongol Relations
Clement V engaged in diplomatic communications with the Mongol Empire, exploring possibilities for a Franco-Mongol alliance against Muslim powers. Embassies were exchanged, but these efforts did not result in coordinated military action. He also ordered the preaching of a crusade against the Mamluk Sultanate in 1309, which led to the emergence of the 'Crusade of the Poor'. The expedition that eventually set sail, led by the Hospitallers, conquered Rhodes instead of proceeding to the Holy Land.
Relations with Rome and Italy
The Papal States faced significant instability during Clement V's pontificate. Rome was embroiled in factional disputes, and the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano suffered damage from a fire. In 1309, Clement V moved the papal court to Carpentras, near Avignon, in the Comtat Venaissin. This relocation, intended for security, initiated the Avignon Papacy. Meanwhile, Emperor Henry VII's intervention in Italy and subsequent conflict with Robert of Naples saw Clement V initially supporting Robert, highlighting the complex political maneuvering of the era.
Legal and Repressive Actions
Clement V's pontificate also saw the promulgation of the Clementine Constitutions in 1313, a significant collection of canon law. He also violently repressed the Dulcinians in Lombardy, whom he deemed heretical. His reign concluded with his death on April 20, 1314, in Roquemaure, France. Accounts of his death describe a bizarre incident involving a thunderstorm and fire that partially destroyed his body before burial.
Crusades and Diplomacy
East-West Diplomatic Efforts
Clement V actively pursued diplomatic channels with the Mongol Empire, seeking to forge an alliance against common enemies in the East. Embassies from Ilkhanate ruler รljaitรผ reached Clement and other European monarchs, proposing cooperation. However, these initiatives ultimately failed to materialize into coordinated military actions, as hopes for a unified front against Muslim powers gradually waned.
Papal Calls for Holy War
In 1308, Clement V ordered the preaching of a crusade against the Mamluk Sultanate in the Holy Land for the spring of 1309. This call inadvertently led to the appearance of the 'Crusade of the Poor' before Avignon in July 1309. While Clement granted them an indulgence, he refused their participation in the professional expedition led by the Knights Hospitaller, which instead conquered Rhodes from the Byzantines.
Council of Vienne and Crusading Vows
The Council of Vienne, summoned by Clement V in 1311, addressed various ecclesiastical matters, including the fate of the Templars and the organization of new crusades. In 1313, Philip IV of France took the cross, vowing to embark on a crusade in the Levant, a commitment that was never fulfilled due to his subsequent death.
The Avignon Papacy
The Move to Avignon
In March 1309, the papal court relocated from Poitiers to Carpentras, the capital of the Comtat Venaissin, near Avignon. This strategic move was presented as a necessity due to the volatile political climate in Rome, where powerful families like the Colonnas and Orsinis engaged in constant conflict, and the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano had been damaged by fire. This decision marked the commencement of the Avignon Papacy, a period of seventy-seven years (1309โ1377) during which the popes resided outside Rome.
Italy's Instability
The absence of the papal court exacerbated the political fragmentation and conflict within Italy and the Papal States. The administration of the Papal States by a triumvirate of cardinals proved insufficient to quell the internal strife, particularly in Rome, which remained a battleground for aristocratic factions. Emperor Henry VII's brief but impactful presence in Italy, culminating in his coronation in Rome in 1312 before his death, further underscored the turbulent political landscape.
Enduring Legacy
The Avignon Papacy
Clement V's decision to move the papal court to Avignon fundamentally altered the papacy's geopolitical standing and its relationship with Rome. This relocation initiated a period of French dominance over the papacy, impacting its spiritual authority and political independence for decades.
Dissolution of the Templars
The suppression of the Knights Templar, orchestrated under Clement V's authority, remains one of the most controversial events of his pontificate. It demonstrated the significant influence of secular rulers over ecclesiastical affairs and had lasting repercussions for religious military orders.
Council of Vienne and Canon Law
The Council of Vienne, convened during his reign, addressed critical issues facing the Church, including the Templar question and the need for ecclesiastical reform. The promulgation of the Clementine Constitutions further codified canon law, leaving a legal legacy that influenced Church governance.
Cultural and Historical Context
Popular Culture Representation
The figure of Pope Clement V has been depicted in popular media, reflecting his significant historical role. Notably, actor Stephen Fewell portrayed Clement V in the second season of the television series Knightfall, bringing the historical narrative to a modern audience.
Related Topics
Further exploration of this era can be enriched by examining related historical subjects. These include the lives of other significant figures like Bernard Jarre, the cardinals appointed during Clement V's papacy, the development of the Chรขteauneuf-du-Pape wine region, and the architectural heritage associated with his family, such as the Chรขteau de Roquetaillade.
Related Papal and Church Information
Popes of the Catholic Church
Catholic Church Overview
References
Source Citations
The information presented here is drawn from various scholarly and historical sources, meticulously cited to ensure academic integrity and allow for further research.
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References
References
- Gรยกbor Bradรยกcs, "Crusade of the Poor (1309)", in Jeffrey M. Shaw and Timothy J. Demy (eds.), War and Religion: An Encyclopedia of Faith and Conflict, 3 vols. (ABC-CLIO, 2017), vol. 1, pp. 211รขยย212.
- Pope John XXII reissued this collection in the bull Quoniam nulla, 25 October 1317.
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