History of the Avignon Papacy
Learn about how the Papal Palace in Avignon, France, reflects the wealth and power of the popes who lived there.
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Transcript
NARRATOR: The Avignon Papacy refers to a period in the 14th century during which the papacy sat not in the Vatican in Rome, but in the French city of Avignon. The mighty papal palace with its thick walls and arrow slits was a fortress as well as a manifestation of the church's enormous power and influence. In all, seven popes spent a total of almost 70 years in Avignon. Together, they created one of the wealthiest institutions in the world. The Papal Palace in Avignon was constantly being expanded as successive popes garnered ever larger groups of courtiers.
DR. VOLKER REINHARDT: "There were two principal developments during the Avignon Papacy. The first was a distinct move towards centralization and the church's increased taxation, which expanded their income dramatically. Secondly, the creation of a papal court and courtly traditions that you can see even in today's Papal Palace."
NARRATOR: In the Papal court of Avignon, the popes encouraged the development of the arts. They became patrons of artists and were open to new artistic styles in religious art. The French monarchy also benefited from the close proximity of the Papacy.
DR. ALEXANDER DEMANDT: "The pope was the wealthiest man in the world, plus he had an incredible influence being able to appoint bishops throughout Europe. Having him close by rather than in Rome, made it possible for the French to exert a greater influence."
NARRATOR: To finance their increasingly lavish lifestyles, these popes needed to generate evermore money. One important source of income was the selling of indulgences. People would pay large amounts of money to be absolved of their sins. The popes made a lot of money from this practice. Another important source of income was the trade in relics. A whole industry sprang up around the trade in these religious objects. They were a part of everyday life in the Middle Ages. Bones - supposedly from saints - were preserved before being put on display. Fragments of wood said to come from Jesus' cross were framed in small glass cases. The relics and works of art from the period are a reflection of the wealth enjoyed by the Avignon Papacy.
DR. VOLKER REINHARDT: "There were two principal developments during the Avignon Papacy. The first was a distinct move towards centralization and the church's increased taxation, which expanded their income dramatically. Secondly, the creation of a papal court and courtly traditions that you can see even in today's Papal Palace."
NARRATOR: In the Papal court of Avignon, the popes encouraged the development of the arts. They became patrons of artists and were open to new artistic styles in religious art. The French monarchy also benefited from the close proximity of the Papacy.
DR. ALEXANDER DEMANDT: "The pope was the wealthiest man in the world, plus he had an incredible influence being able to appoint bishops throughout Europe. Having him close by rather than in Rome, made it possible for the French to exert a greater influence."
NARRATOR: To finance their increasingly lavish lifestyles, these popes needed to generate evermore money. One important source of income was the selling of indulgences. People would pay large amounts of money to be absolved of their sins. The popes made a lot of money from this practice. Another important source of income was the trade in relics. A whole industry sprang up around the trade in these religious objects. They were a part of everyday life in the Middle Ages. Bones - supposedly from saints - were preserved before being put on display. Fragments of wood said to come from Jesus' cross were framed in small glass cases. The relics and works of art from the period are a reflection of the wealth enjoyed by the Avignon Papacy.