CONTENTS OF PART V.

CHAPTER XXII.-Residence of the Popes at Avignon.

(I.) History of the Popes-Clement V.-Council of Vienne-Condemnation of the Templars-John XXII.-his contest with Lewis of Bavaria-supposed heresy-Benedict XII.-Clement VI.-the Jubilee-Innocent VI.-Urban V.-goes to Rome but returns to Avignon-Gregory XI.-dies at Rome. (II.) General history of the Church-Decline of papal power-Rapacity and profligacy of the Court of Avignon-Attempts at Reform-Schism among the Franciscans-their disputes with John XXII. and other Popes-Change in the Imperial policy-The Beghards-The LolhardsHeresy and fate of Dulcinus-The Flagellants-Conclusion.

CHAPTER XXIII.—The Grand Schism of the Roman Catholic Church. Turbulent election of Urban VI..-his harshness-secession of the college to Anagni, and election of Clement VII.-his retreat to Avignon-division of Europe-Boniface IX. succeeds Urban-his extraordinary avarice-Pietro di Luna (Benedict XIII.) succeeds Clement-Attempts to heal the schism-Boniface succeeded by Innocent VII.-he by Angelo Corrario (Gregory XII.)-his reputation-Collusion of the two pretenders-Council of Pisa-their deposition and election of Alexander V., who is succeeded by John XXIII.-Council of Constance-escape and deposition of John-Abdication of Gregory-Conference of Perpignan and deposition of Luna-Election of Martin V.-Fate and character of Gregory-Benedict and John.

CHAPTER XXIV.-Attempts of the Roman Catholic Church at
Self-Reformation.

Spirit manifested at the Council of Pisa-Testimonies of Churchmen against ecclesiastical corruption-extent of their complaints-Conduct of Alexander V.-Council of Constance-Gerson-The Committee of Reform-their labours-nature of the opposition-how their exertions are eludedElection of Martin V.-who succeeds in evading all efficient Reform-Real objects of the Reformers-Remarks-Assembly of the Council of Basle-Eugenius IV.-Three objects of the Council -Cardinal Julian Cesarini-Struggle between the Council and the Pope-Substance of the enactments of the Council for Church Reform-New differences with Eugenius-Council of Ferrara and Florence-Cardinal of Arles-Deposition of Eugenius-Felix V.-Confirmation of the liberties of the Gallican Church-Conclusion.

CHAPTER XXV.-History of the Hussites.

Wiclif-his opinions-introduced into Bohemia-John Huss-his proceedings-arrival at Constance -Safe-conduct of Sigismond-Various charges and processes of the Council against him-His firmness and execution-Jerome of Prague-his persecution-vacillation and final execution— Remarks-Insurrection of the Bohemians-their sanguinary and prolonged contest with the

Church.

CHAPTER XXVI.-History of the Greek Church after its separation from the Latin.

The Paulicians-their history and opinions-Various mystics-Messalians, Quietists and othersDispute on the God of Mahomet-Attempts to re-unite the two Churches-System of the Greek Church-distinguished from Latin-The Latin kingdom of Jerusalem-duration and consequences -Latin conquest of Constantinople-Establishment of a Roman Catholic Church in Greeceits endowments-Embassy to Nice for the re-union-its failure-other similar endeavours-faithless reconciliation at Lyons-attempts renewed in the fourteenth century-Negotiations with Eugenius IV.-Council of Ferrara-removed to Florence-its deliberations-Conditions and decree of union-Reception of the Greek deputies on their return to Constantinople-Violence of the Greeks-unabated-till the taking of Constantinople by Mahomet II.

CHAPTER XXVII.-History of the Popes, from Nicholas V. to Leo X.

Nicholas V.-his popular character-Callixtus III.-Æneas Sylvius or Pius II.-his election-exertions against the Turks-Paul II.—Sixtus IV.-his literary pretensions-Innocent VIII.-Roderigo Borgia or Alexander VI.-consummation of papal iniquity-Pius III.-Julius II.—his warlike talents, enterprize and success-Leo X.-The Lateran Council convoked by Julius and carried to its conclusion by Leo.

CHAPTER XXVIII. and Last.-Preliminaries of the Reformation.

(I.) A review of the decline of the papal system-in respect to its temporal power and pretensionsits internal constitution-its discipline, and moral instruction and practice-its spiritual innovations-Festivals, controversies, &c.-the mystics. (II.) On the endeavours of the Church to remove its own abuses-to what limits they were confined-On the exertions of Sectarians or Separatists-how early they began, and to what objects they tended-the treatment which they received from the Church-Some distinguished Reformers of the fifteenth century-A particular reference to the German Church-The conclusion of this history.

PART V.

CHAPTER XXII.

Residence at Avignon.

(1.) History of the Popes.-Clement V.-conditions imposed on him by Philip―he fixes his residence in France-Charges against the Templars-their seizure-Council General of Vienne-its three professed objects-Condemnation and punishment of the Templars-Remarks-Question on the orthodoxy of Boniface VIII.-Ecclesiastical abuses-Attempt at Reform-Elevation and character of John XXII.-his avarice-the apostolical chancery-his contest with Lewis of Bavaria-The Emperor advances to Rome-creates a rival Pope-fruitless issue of the struggle-appeals from Pope to a General Council-charges of heresy against John-his opinion respecting the intermediate State-commotion in the Church-his dying confession- Remarks-Benedict XII.-his virtues and endeavours to reform the Church-Clement VI.-Deputation from Rome-its three objects the Jubilee-multitude of pilgrims-conduct of the Romans-Temporal prerogatives exercised by this Pope-Restrictions imposed in conclave on the future Pope-Innocent VI.-and instantly broken by him-his character and objects-disputes with the German Church-Urban V. -passed some time at Rome-but returned to Avignon-Gregory XI.-deputation from RomeCatharine of Sienna-her pretensions-Embassy to Avignon-interview with the Pope-he goes to Rome and dies there-Observations—(II.) General history of the Church, its heresies, &c.—(1.) Decline of the papal power-Intestine convulsions of the Ecclesiastical States-consequent deficiencies in papal revenues-means employed to replenish them—profligacy of the Court of Avignon -surpassing that of Rome-Temporal weakness and dependence of the Avignon Popes-Growing contempt for spiritual censures-Appeals to General Council-Disputes between the Pope and the Franciscans-Diffusion of knowledge among the laity.-(2.) Attempts at Reform feeble and ineffectual.-(3.) The character of the rigid Franciscans-Schism in that Order-The Spirituals and Brethren of the Community-Their treatment by Clement V.-By John XXII.-The Bull Gloriosam Ecclesiam-Some Spirituals burnt for heresy-their consequent increase—they unite with Lewis of Bavaria-The Pope aided by the Dominicans-Remarks-Charles IV.-Change in the Imperial policy-Triumph of the Pope and Inquisitors-Final division of the Franciscans-The BeghardsThe Lollards-their origin and character-their alleged opinions and mysticism-Some contemporary institutions of the Church-Heresy and persecution of Dulcinus-The Flagellants-their origin-progress-practice and sufferings-Concluding observations.

SECTION I.

History of the Popes.

WHEN Philip undertook to raise the archbishop of Bourdeaux to the pontifical chair, six conditions are believed to have been imposed by the monarch, and accepted by the subject. Five of them stipulated for the entire forgiveness of all the insults which had been offered to Boniface, and the Roman See; for the restoration of the friends of Philip to communion and favour; for the power of exacting tenths for the five following years; for the condemnation of the memory of Boniface; for restitution of dignity to two degraded cardinals, and the creation of some others, friends of the king. The sixth was not then specified; the mention of it was reserved for a more convenient season * ; and we may remark, that the others were obviously not suggested by any long-sighted policy aiming at the permanent humiliation of the Roman See, but rather by passion and temporary expediency. If we except the nomination of new cardinals, who would probably be French, there is not one among the conditions dictated, under the most favourable circumstances, by the great

* Bzovius, Contin. of Baron. Annal. Ann. 1305, i. Fleury, liv. xc. s. xlix. Giannone, lib. xxii. cap. viii. Historians are not agreed what the sixth condition was—some assert that it was to heap additional anathemas on Boniface, and burn his bones; others suppose it to have been fulfilled by the condemnation of the Templars, others by the transfer of the papal residence to France. The violence of Philip's character, and the mere temporary character of most of his other stipulations, make the first, perhaps, the most probable conjecture.

enemy of the See, which tended in effect to reduce it to dependence on his own throne, or even materially to weaken any one of the foundations of its power. Nor should this surprise us; since the violence which Philip exhibited throughout the contest, and the provocations which he received, make it probable, that his animosity was rather personal against Boniface, than political against the Church, or even Court, of Rome. The first act of the Pope elect was to assemble his reluctant cardinals at Lyons, to officiate at his coronation *;

The Secession to Avignon. and his reign, which began in 1305 and lasted for nine years, was entirely passed in the country where it commenced. Clement V. was alternately resident at Bourdeaux, Lyons, and Avignon; and he was the first among the spiritual descendants of St. Peter, who insulted the chair and tomb of the apostle by continual and voluntary absence: his example was followed by his successors until the year 1376. Thus for a period of about seventy years, the mighty pontifical authority, which was united by so many ties to the name of Rome, which in its nature was essentially Italian, and which claimed a boundless extent of despotism, was exercised by foreigners, in a foreign land, under the sceptre of a foreign prince. This humiliation, and, as it were, exile of the Holy See †, has been compared by Italian writers to the Babylonian captivity; and a notion, which may have originated in the accidental time of its duration, has been recommended by other points of similarity. French authors have regarded the secession to Avignon in a very different light-but we shall venture no remarks on the general character of this singular period, until we have described the leading occurrences which distinguished it.

Clement V. immediately fulfilled most of the stipulated conditions-he restored the partizans of the French king to their honours; he created several new cardinals, Gascons or Frenchmen; he revoked the various decrees made by Boniface VIII. against France, even to the Bull Unam Sanctam-at least he so qualified its operation, as not to extend it to a country which had merited that exception by its faithful attachment to the Roman See;-but when called upon to publish a formal condemuation of the memory of that pontiff, he receded from his engagement with the direct avowal, that such an act exceeded the limits of his authority, unless fortified by the sanction of a General Council.

Very soon afterwards, rumours were propagated respecting various abominations, both religious and moral, perpetrated by the Order of the Knights Templars-not in occasional licentiousness, but by the rule and practice of the society. Information of these offences was first communicated to Philip, afterwards to the pope; both parties attached, or affected to attach, infinite importance to it; and at length it was determined to refer that question also to a General Council. The Pope issued orders for such an assembly, and appointed Vienne, in Dauphiny, as the place of its meeting. In the meantime, Philip caused all the Templars in his dominions to be seized in one day (October 30, 1307); and Clement exerted himself with various, but very general, success to engage the other sovereigns of Europe to the same measure.

*King Philip officiated also, and condescended to lead the Pope's horse by the bridle, according to the ancient fashion of Imperial humiliation. Lyons boasted to be a free city, and the bishop had, in fact, gained the principal authority there, to the exclusion of that of the king of France.

The Popes who reigned at Avignon, and who were all French, were-Clement V.John XXII.-Benedict XII-Clement VI.-Innocent VI.-Urban V.-Gregory XI.

On October 1, 1311, the Council assembled. Its professed objects were three-1. To examine the charges against the Templars and secure the purity of the Catholic Faith. 2. To consult for

the relief of the Holy Land. 3. To reform the Council of Vienne. manners of the clergy and the system of the

Church*. The first of these terminated in the entire suppression of the Order; their property † was transferred to the Knights of the Hospital, who were considered a more faithful bulwark against the progress of the Infidel-(it was thus that the second purpose of the assembly was also supposed to be effected ;) while their persons were consigned to the justice of provincial Councils, to be guided by the character, confession, or contumacy of the individual accused. By these means the greater part unquestionably escaped with their lives; but several were executed, and among these the Grand Master and the Commander of Normandy suffered under singular circumstances. They had confessed their guilt, and were consequently condemned by the bishops, to whom that office had been assigned by the Pope, to the mitigated punishment of perpetual imprisonment. On hearing this sentence, they retracted their confession and inflexibly protested their entire innocence. The cardinals remanded them for further trial on the morrow, but in the meantime, Philip, having learnt what had passed, and not brooking even so trifling a delay in the chastisement of an enemy, caused them to be burnt alive in a small island in the Seine, on the same evening. They endured their torments with great constancy; and the assembled crowd, as it believed their guilt, was astounded by their firmness.

Probable Innocence

of the Templars.

On the reality of their guilt or innocence depends the character of Clement V.; for it is not probable that he was deceived in a matter so important, involving the lives and property of so numerous and powerful a body, and to a certain extent the interests and honour of so many kings and nations. It is true, that it was by Philip that the first attack was made both upon their character and their persons; but the blast which he sounded was presently repeated by the Pope, and reiterated in every quarter of Europe. Again, the Templars were rich; and notwithstanding the nominal disposal of their property which was made at Vienne, there were few princes who entirely lost so favourable an opportunity for spoliation ‡. It is admitted, indeed, that Philip continually disclaimed any avaricious motive for his aggression; and that he does not appear in fact to have turned his success to those ends; but he was irritated by their opposition to some former schemes, and against the Grand Master, in particular, he was known to entertain a personal and implacable animosity. . . . As to the proofs of their guilt-the confessions, which several are affirmed to have made, do not rest on any satisfactory evidence, though it seems probable, that some did really acknowledge all that was imputed to them. But of these, some may have been driven into weakness by

*Bzov. Contin. Baron. Ann., 311, s. i. Fleury, 1. xci, sect. xxvi.

Excepting that in Spain and Portugal, which was consecrated to the formation of a new order, with the prospect of a Moorish Crusade, under the especial superintendence of the pope. We find it, moreover, affirmed by Dupin, Nouv. Biblioth. Cent. XIV. chap. ii. that the publication of the Bull for the dissolution of the order was prevented in Germany, and that the Templars were there acquitted by a Provincial Council.

As the princes enjoyed the rents of the landed estates, until the commissioners of the Knights of Rhodes had made out their claims, there arose great delays in resigning them. Philip himself retained a certain sum for the expenses of the prosecution; but not sufficient to justify any suspicion of rapacity.