The Avignon Papacy

After the Assassination of John Duke of Brittany by the House of Christ, Pope Clement V recognized that the time had come to bring an end to the House of Christ's reign. Thus, the Avignon Papacy was born.

Avignon Papacy Flag

## The Avignon Papacy

### Location

Loading map...{"type":"ROADMAP","minzoom":false,"maxzoom":false,"types":["ROADMAP","SATELLITE","HYBRID","TERRAIN"],"mappingservice":"googlemaps3","width":"auto","height":"350px","centre":false,"title":"","label":"","icon":"","lines":[],"polygons":[],"circles":[],"rectangles":[],"copycoords":false,"static":false,"visitedicon":"","wmsoverlay":false,"zoom":14,"layers":[],"controls":["pan","zoom","type","scale","streetview","rotate"],"zoomstyle":"DEFAULT","typestyle":"DEFAULT","autoinfowindows":false,"resizable":false,"kmlrezoom":false,"poi":true,"cluster":false,"clustergridsize":60,"clustermaxzoom":20,"clusterzoomonclick":true,"clusteraveragecenter":true,"clusterminsize":2,"imageoverlays":[],"kml":[],"gkml":[],"searchmarkers":"","fullscreen":false,"scrollwheelzoom":false,"locations":[{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAvignon\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Avignon\n","link":"","lat":43.94920258541949,"lon":4.808051905070565,"icon":""}]}

### Succeded by

* The Kingdom of France
* House of Borgia
* Della Rovere
* House of Medici
* Kingdom of Sardinia
* Kingdom of Naples
* Comtat Venaissin

Avignon popes

1. Pope Clement V: 1306–1314
2. Pope John XXII: 1316–1334
3. Pope Benedict XII: 1334–1342
4. Pope Clement VI: 1342–1352
5. Pope Innocent VI: 1352–1362
6. Pope Urban V: 1362–1370 (in Rome 1367–1370; returned to Avignon 1370)
7. Pope Gregory XI: 1370–1378 (left Avignon to return to Rome on 13 September 1376)

# History

From 1305 to 1378, the popes lived in the papal enclave of Avignon, surrounded by Provence and under the influence of the French kings.

Beginning with Clement V, all popes during the Avignon papacy were French. However, this makes French influence seem greater than it was. Southern France (Occitania) at that time had a culture quite independent from Northern France, where most of the advisers to the King of France were based.

The Kingdom of Arles was not yet part of France at that time, formally a part of the Holy Roman Empire. The literature produced by the troubadours in the Languedoc is unique and strongly distinct from that of Royal circles in the north. Even in terms of religion, the South produced its own variety of Christianity, Catharism, which was ultimately declared heretical.

The movement was fueled in no small part by the strong sense of independence in the South even though the region had been severely weakened during the Albigensian Crusade a hundred years before. By the time of the Avignon Papacy, the power of the French King in this region was uncontested, although still not legally binding.

Disputes over territorial claims, political ambitions, and conflicting dynastic rights fueled the flames of war. The House of Valois, determined to assert its authority over the English crown, clashed with the Plantagenet dynasty, whose roots stretched deep into the English soil.

During the Avignon Papacy, local despots took advantage of the absence of the popes to establish themselves in nominally papal cities: the Pepoli in Bologna, the Ordelaffi in Forlì, the Manfredi in Faenza, and the Malatesta in Rimini all gave nominal acknowledgment to their papal overlords and were declared vicars of the Church.

Pope John XXII succeeded Clement V in 1316. An ambitious and skilled diplomat, John XXII shrewdly extended the reach of the Avignon Papacy by forging alliances with influential European rulers. His reign was marked by attempts to assert the papal authority, which often resulted in clashes with secular powers.

The Avignon Papacy reached its zenith during the tenure of Pope Clement VI. He was a man of refined taste, a patron of the arts and culture, and an astute politician. Under his leadership, the city of Avignon transformed into a dazzling cultural center that attracted scholars, artists, and philosophers from across Europe.

But even amidst the artistic splendor, shadows of corruption loomed over the papacy. The excessive wealth and lavish lifestyles of some Church officials raised eyebrows and fueled discontent among the common people. Accusations of simony, nepotism, and moral decadence tarnished the once-pure image of the Church.

As the decades passed, the Avignon Papacy faced increasing challenges to its legitimacy. Calls for a return to Rome grew louder, and factions within the Church questioned the validity of Avignon as the rightful seat of the Pope. However, the political situation in Europe was far from stable.

In the year 1337, King Edward III of England laid claim to the French throne, setting the stage for the Hundred Years' War. As England and France clashed on the battlefield, the Church found itself facing a delicate dilemma.

Pope Benedict XII, the reigning pontiff at that time, was faced with the challenge of navigating the treacherous waters of politics and faith. Born Jacques Fournier, he was a man of great intellect and deep spirituality. Though he hailed from France, he struggled to remain impartial in the escalating conflict between his homeland and England.

However, the House of Christ Society had plans for the Hundred Years' War. The House of Christ concocted a plan to create a chosen one, a figure who would inspire the masses and lead them to victory. They carefully orchestrated series of events and encounters for Jeanne d'Arc with their agents, who posed as divine messengers. Under the influence of drugs and carefully crafted illusions, Joan began to believe that she was communing with angels and receiving divine instructions.

As battles raged on and the war intensified, King Edward III sought support from the Church, hoping to gain papal favor for his claim to the French throne. He dispatched envoys to Avignon, urging Pope Benedict XII to grant him legitimacy and recognition.

But Pope Benedict was torn between his spiritual duties and the political demands of the war. He understood that any endorsement of Edward III's claim would undoubtedly anger the French and jeopardize the already fragile position of the Avignon Papacy. Fearful of losing French support, Benedict hesitated to make a decisive move.

As the war raged on, Pope Benedict XII passed away, leaving a void in the papal office. The cardinals convened to elect a new pope, hoping that the next pontiff would possess the wisdom and strength to navigate the treacherous waters of the Hundred Years' War.

In 1342, a humble man named Clement VI emerged as the new pope. He was a native of France and had risen from humble beginnings to become the leader of the Catholic Church. But Clement VI was not one to be easily swayed by the demands of kings and rulers.

With the war still raging and both England and France vying for papal support, Clement VI found himself facing an extraordinary challenge. He knew that he needed to maintain the integrity and neutrality of the Church, lest it be consumed by the fires of war.

With great tact and skill, Pope Clement VI diplomatically navigated through the stormy waters of the Hundred Years' War. He refused to grant outright support to either side, instead calling for peace and reconciliation between the warring nations. His efforts earned him respect from both England and France, as they recognized his genuine desire for a just and lasting peace.

Throughout the war, the Avignon Papacy faced numerous trials and tribulations. Yet, thanks to the wisdom and diplomacy of Pope Clement VI, it managed to preserve its neutrality and influence, playing a crucial role in promoting peace and stability in a time of great upheaval.

As the Hundred Years' War raged on, the Avignon Papacy continued to leave its mark on history, a testament to the enduring power of faith, diplomacy, and the indomitable spirit of the Church in the face of adversity.

The Hundred Years' War, spanning from 1337 to 1453, witnessed countless battles, sieges, and diplomatic maneuvers as both sides vied for supremacy. It was a war marked by brutal conflicts and shifting alliances, where heroes and villains emerged from the fog of battle.

Pope Gregory XI, faced mounting pressure within the Church and Europe, The Houses of Rome were clamoring for the restoration of the papacy to its rightful seat in Rome. Amidst these turbulent times, the House of Borgia, a prominent and influential family, saw an opportunity to strengthen their position and gain favor with the papacy.

The Borgias, known for their cunning and ambition, devised a daring plan to entice Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome. They promised him and the entire papal court safe passage and protection within the walls of Rome. Sensing a chance to restore the authority and integrity of the Church while securing their own power, Pope Gregory XI cautiously considered their proposition.

Ultimately, after careful deliberation, Pope Gregory XI decided to accept the Borgia's offer. He believed that the move to Rome would help reconcile with those who sought reforms within the Catholic Church and bring an end to the divisions that had plagued the Church during the Avignon Papacy.

In a momentous journey, the papal entourage, accompanied by the Borgia army, made its way back to Rome. The streets were lined with curious and hopeful onlookers, anxiously awaiting the return of the Church's spiritual center. As they arrived in Rome, Pope Gregory XI addressed the jubilant crowds, expressing his hope for unity and renewal within the Church.

Under Borgia rule, the papacy once again set its roots in Rome. The House of Borgia, though ambitious, demonstrated their commitment to safeguarding the interests of the Church and worked closely with Pope Gregory XI to implement reforms and address the grievances of the faithful.

However, The Society of the House of Christ had members ready to claim legitimacy, cause confusion and turmoil across Rome.

The House of Borgia, saviors and protectors of the papacy, now found themselves in a undeclared war.

In the end, the Avignon Papacy's return to Rome under the auspices of the House of Borgia had far-reaching consequences, altering the course of European history and leaving a lasting impact on the Catholic Church. It was a time of political intrigue, religious fervor, and shifting alliances, as the Church struggled to find its path amidst the storm of conflicting ambitions and ideologies.