THE “BABYLONISH CAPTIVITY” [1305-1378 A.D.]

11305 The influence of Philip the Fair in the College of Cardinals brings about the election of Bertrand d’Agoust, =Clement V=. The pope does not interfere in Philip’s persecution of the Templars.

21309 The pope removes his residence to Avignon, principally because of the strife between the Orsini and Colonnas, in Rome. He pronounces a fearful ban of excommunication against the Venetians, in a quarrel over the possession of Ferrara. The Venetians driven from Ferrara, which is annexed to the papal states.

31310 Revolt of Ferrara and its severe punishment by the papal government.

41311 Suppression of the Templars at the Council of Vienne.

51314 The pope makes the king of Naples viceroy of Italy. The Guelf party is now in the ascendant. Death of Clement. The see is vacant for over two years.

61316 Jacques d’Euse, =John XXI= or =XXII=, of the French party, elected.

71317 The people of Ferrara restore the city to the Este family.

81322 The Visconti capture Cremona, and the whole family is excommunicated. John offers to recognise Frederick of Austria king of Germany, in return for his help. Frederick sends an army to Italy, but withdraws it.

91323 Excommunication of Ludwig IV of Bavaria. The papal forces take Alessandria and Tortona, and lay siege to Milan. Excommunication of Ludwig IV of Bavaria for helping the Visconti.

101324 The papal and Sicilian forces defeated by Galeazzo Visconti at Vaprio.

111326 John incites the duke of Lithuania to attack the Teutonic knights. The papal forces capture Parma and Reggio.

121328 Ludwig IV, crowned in Rome by Sciarra Colonna, obtains a decree from the Roman people that the pope must reside in Rome. John is declared deposed, and Pietro di Corvara, _Nicholas V_, made pope.

131329 The Ghibellines turn against Ludwig; the Visconti and Este families treat with the pope. Nicholas abdicates, and is imprisoned at Avignon.

141332 John of Bohemia, who has settled the troubles of the Ghibellines, plots with the pope to obtain Italy.

151333 The papal forces defeated at Ferrara. John abandons his designs on Italy, and returns to Bohemia.

161334 The papal party loses most of its captured cities. Death of John, as he is about to be tried for heresy. Jacques Fournier, =Benedict XII=. He begins to build the palace of the popes at Avignon, and attempts to curb the luxury of the monastic orders.

171338 The German electors declare that the pope has no jurisdiction over Germany.

181342 Pierre Roger, =Clement VI=. The Romans send an embassy to urge him to return to Rome. He appoints the Fifty Year Jubilee.

191343 Clement renews excommunication of Ludwig.

201347 Revolution of Rienzi in Rome. He is elected tribune, and carries out many reforms. After a defeat of the nobles he commits many extravagant acts, and is compelled to abdicate.

211348 Joanna of Naples sells Avignon to the pope.

221349 The Flagellants declared to be heretics.

231351 Rienzi delivered to the custody of the pope by Charles IV of Germany.

241352 Etienne d’Albert, =Innocent VI=.

251354 Cardinal Albornoz restores papal power in Rome. Rienzi made senator. He rules badly, and is killed.

261356 The Golden Bull terminates the long strife between papacy and empire.

271362 Guillaume de Grimoard, =Urban V=. Most of the pope’s enemies have been quieted, but the Visconti still remain in open hostility. The pope desires to return to Rome, since the papal states are reduced to obedience.

281367 Urban removes to Rome. Death of Albornoz.

291370 Urban returns to Avignon and dies. Pierre Roger de Beaufort, =Gregory XI=. England and France reject his offers of mediation with contempt. Italy, after the death of Albornoz, attempts to free herself from the pope. The Visconti are all-powerful in the north. The whole south revolts. The Free Companies ravage the country. Sir John Hawkwood serves now the Guelfs and now the Ghibellines.

301376 Mission of St. Catherine of Siena to urge the pope to return to Rome.

311377 Arrival of Gregory at Rome.

321378 Death of Gregory.