Philippe iv le bel

King Philip IV vs. Pope Boniface VIII

By drewski101
  • Jan 1, 1300

    Pope and King Collide

    In 1300, Pope Boniface VIII attempted to enforce papal authority on kings as previous popes had. When King Philip IV bacame king and asserted his authority over French Bishops, Boniface responded with an official document stating kings must always obey popes.
  • Sep 1, 1303

    Prisoner

    After Pope Boniface gave King Philip an official document, Philip disregarded it and instead of obeying it, he had him held prisoner. The king planned to bring him to France for a trial. The pope was rescued but died a month later. After that, a pope was never again able to force monarchs to obey him.
  • Jan 1, 1305

    Avignon

    In 1305, Philip IV persuaded the College of Cardinals to choose a French archbishop as the new pope. Clement V, the newly selected pop, moved from Rome to the city of Avignon in France. Popes would live there for the next 69 years. The move to Avignon, the Church was badly weakened.