Lentorama 2010: Two Millennia of Pointy Hats

Day 28: Clement V (1305-14)

Clement's election came at a time of great rivalry between the Italian and French cardinals, and the selection of Clement (who was French but not a cardinal) suggested that he was a compromise choice who would be expected to maintain some level of neutrality during his reign.

Such expectations were not met, as Clement started off on a pro-French foot by forcing his coronation to take place in Lyon (where his brother was archbishop) rather than in Italy. Once pope, he then created nine new French cardinals. From here on out, Clement pretty much did whatever he could to benefit France.

This would ultimately lead Clement to move the papal court from Rome to Avignon, claiming Rome was too unsettled given the political situation there. While Avignon wasn't technically part of France, the move clearly put the papacy in the French sphere of influence.

The other major event of Clement's papacy was the suppression of the Knights Templar, whose growing power and wealth was a constant source of concern for secular rulers - like the king of France. While Clement was not able to get the Templars convicted of heresy by an ecclesiastical council, he still banned them and allowed the French king to appropriate much of their property and money.

Hard to understand why people don't like the French, isn't it?