Why the popes settled in Avignon in 1309

History of Avignon Prehistory Before Rome Gallo-Roman Avignon Late antiquity Early Middle Ages The medieval commune The papal move The papal court Western Schism Legates Wars of Religion Altera Roma Eighteenth century Union with France Napoleon Nineteenth century Twentieth century Early twenty-first century

Clement V’s arrival in 1309 reflected the political tensions of medieval Christendom. Avignon’s location near France and the papal Comtat helped make it a suitable place of residence.

The papacy and Italian conflicts

The pope exercised both spiritual and territorial authority. In Italy, rivalries between towns, families and political powers made residence in Rome difficult. Popes frequently lived elsewhere without abandoning their connection to the city.

Clement IV and Charles of Anjou, Tour Ferrande fresco

Boniface VIII, Philip the Fair and Clement V

In the early fourteenth century, Boniface VIII clashed with Philip the Fair of France over the Church’s wealth and authority. In 1303, Guillaume de Nogaret took part in the attack on the pope at Anagni. Boniface died soon afterwards. Bertrand de Got’s election as Clement V in 1305 opened a new period.

Philip the Fair, king of France

Avignon as a place of residence

Crowned in Lyon in 1305, Clement V arrived in Avignon in 1309. The town belonged to the count of Provence, also king of Naples; it was outside the kingdom of France. The neighbouring Comtat Venaissin had been papal territory since 1274. This position, Angevin connections and Italian instability contributed to the choice, without a permanent settlement being decided from the outset.

Pope Clement V, BnF

Seven popes succeeded one another between 1309 and Gregory XI’s return to Rome in 1377. The papal court attracted cardinals, bankers, craftspeople and artists. This growth profoundly transformed the town, whose palace and religious buildings preserve the memory of that period.

Avignon and the Palace of the Popes © Vincent Flachaire

The seven popes of this period: Clement V, John XXII, Benedict XII, Clement VI, Innocent VI, Urban V, Gregory XI.

History of Avignon Prehistory Before Rome Gallo-Roman Avignon Late antiquity Early Middle Ages The medieval commune The papal move The papal court Western Schism Legates Wars of Religion Altera Roma Eighteenth century Union with France Napoleon Nineteenth century Twentieth century Early twenty-first century