Clement V
Pope Clement V, born Bertrand de Got, was head of the Catholic Church from 1305 until his death in 1314. A Frenchman, he is primarily remembered for moving the Papacy from Rome to Avignon, initiating the Avignon Papacy, and for suppressing the order of the Knights Templar, which led to the execution of many of its members.
Key Facts
- ›Born Bertrand de Got in Villandraut, Guyenne.
- ›Studied law at Orléans and Bologna.
- ›Became Archbishop of Bordeaux before his election as Pope.
- ›The election of Clement V was likely a compromise between French and Italian cardinals.
- ›His pontificate is marked by the Avignon Papacy and the suppression of the Templars.
Council of Vienne
- Moved the Papacy From Rome To Avignon.
- Suppressed the Order of the Knights Templar.
- Allowed the Execution of Many Knights Templar.
- Promulgated the Clementine Constitutions.
- Ordered the Preaching of A Crusade Against the Mamluk Sultanate.
Avignon Papacy, Knights Templar, Philip Iv of France, Pope Boniface Viii, Henry Vii, Holy Roman Emperor, Council of Vienne, Mongol Empire
About Clement V
Pope Clement V
Pope Clement V, born Bertrand de Got, was the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 1305 until his death on April 20, 1314. He was a Frenchman by birth, hailing from Villandraut in the province of Guyenne.
Pontificate and Historical Context
Clement V's pontificate is most notably defined by his decision to move the Papacy from Rome to Avignon, France. This relocation, initiated in 1309, ushered in the period known as the Avignon Papacy, sometimes referred to as the "Babylonian captivity of the papacy." This move was justified at the time by French apologists on grounds of security, as Rome was politically unstable and dangerous.
Major Actions and Controversies
One of Clement V's most significant and controversial actions was the suppression of the Knights Templar. Prompted by accusations and pressure from King Philip IV of France, Clement V abolished the order in 1311. This led to the arrest and subsequent execution of many Templar members, a historical event that continues to be debated.
Clement V also played a role in international diplomacy, engaging in communications with the Mongol Empire regarding a potential alliance against Muslims, though these hopes ultimately faded. He ordered the preaching of a crusade against the Mamluk Sultanate and promulgated another crusade at the Council of Vienne. His pontificate also saw him interact with the Holy Roman Empire, notably recognizing Henry VII as emperor while later conflicting with him.
Early Life and Election
Bertrand de Got studied arts at Toulouse and canon and civil law at Orléans and Bologna. He rose through the ecclesiastical ranks, becoming Bishop of St-Bertrand-de-Comminges and later Archbishop of Bordeaux. His election as Pope Clement V in June 1305, following the death of Pope Benedict XI, was likely an act of compromise between French and Italian cardinals, as he was neither Italian nor a cardinal.
Legacy
Clement V's legacy is largely tied to the establishment of the Avignon Papacy and his role in the dissolution of the Knights Templar. His decisions had a profound and lasting impact on the structure and perception of the papacy in the late medieval period.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Pope Clement V live and reign?
Pope Clement V was born Bertrand de Got and reigned as Pope from 1305 until his death on April 20, 1314. He was born in the mid-thirteenth century and died in 1314.
Why is Pope Clement V famous?
Clement V is primarily remembered for moving the Papacy from Rome to Avignon, France, which initiated the period known as the Avignon Papacy. He is also known for his role in the suppression of the Knights Templar.
What was the Avignon Papacy?
The Avignon Papacy was the period from 1309 to 1376 when the popes resided in Avignon, France, rather than in Rome. Clement V's relocation of the papal court to Avignon marked the beginning of this era, which was seen by some as the "Babylonian captivity of the papacy."
What happened to the Knights Templar under Clement V?
Under pressure from King Philip IV of France, Pope Clement V suppressed the order of the Knights Templar in 1311 with the bull Vox in excelso. This action led to the arrest and execution of many Templar members, though the article notes that the guilt or innocence of the Templars is a complex historical problem.
Where did Clement V move the Papacy to?
Clement V moved the Papacy from Rome to Avignon, a city in what is now France. He settled the papal curia there in March 1309, although he initially resided in nearby Carpentras.
Related Popes
Gregory XI
Gregory XI was the seventh and last Avignon pope, and the most recent French pope. He is primarily known for returning the papal court to Rome in 1377, ending nearly 70 years of papal residency in Avignon. His death shortly thereafter precipitated the Western Schism.
John XXII
Pope John XXII, born Jacques Duèze, was the second and longest-reigning Avignon Pope, serving from 1316 to 1334. He centralized papal power and income, lived a princely life in Avignon, and engaged in significant conflicts with Emperor Louis IV the Bavarian and the Franciscan order over issues of papal authority and the poverty of Christ. John XXII is also known for canonizing Thomas Aquinas and for his controversial sermons on the beatific vision.
Benedict XII
Pope Benedict XII, born Jacques Fournier, was the third Avignon Pope, serving from 1334 to 1342. He is known for reforming monastic orders, opposing nepotism, and initiating the construction of the Palais des Papes in Avignon. Benedict XII also settled the beatific vision controversy with his bull Benedictus Deus.