Changes

*Boniface’s successor, [[Clement]], was French, who, in 1309, moved the [[''Curia'']] to [[Avignon]] in south-east France, so beginning the so-called [[“Babylonian captivity”]] , or Avignon papacy, of French (and French controlled) popes which was to last until 1377.

*Boniface’s successor, [[Clement]], was French, who, in 1309, moved the [[''Curia'']] to [[Avignon]] in south-east France, so beginning the so-called [[“Babylonian captivity”]] , or Avignon papacy, of French (and French controlled) popes which was to last until 1377.

* The destruction during 1312-1314 of the crusading order of [[Knights Templar]] throughout France was prompted by Philip’s fear of the Order’s power and his desire for their wealth and enabled by his influence over the pope. Charged with heresy and other crimes admitted under torture, in 1314 the Grand-master and 53 other senior Templars were burned, and the Order’s assets transferred to the [[Knights Hospitaller]] (after hefty “debts”were forwarded to Philip.)

* The destruction during 1312-1314 of the crusading order of [[Knights Templar]] throughout France was prompted by Philip’s fear of the Order’s power and his desire for their wealth and enabled by his influence over the pope. Charged with heresy and other crimes admitted under torture, in 1314 the Grand-master and 53 other senior Templars were burned, and the Order’s assets transferred to the [[Knights Hospitaller]] (after hefty “debts”were forwarded to Philip.)

*Twice during his reign Philip attempted to bring the rich towns of [[Flanders]] (which traditionally had enjoyed close trade ties with England. His first foray ended with his defeat at the battle of Courtrai in 1302. A second attempt in 1314 was stymied by broad discontent amongst his own nobility at the additional taxation required to fund the war.

*Twice during his reign Philip attempted to bring the rich towns of [[Flanders]] (which traditionally had enjoyed close trade ties with England) under French control. His first foray ended with his defeat at the battle of Courtrai in 1302. A second attempt in 1314 was stymied by broad discontent amongst his own nobility at the additional taxation required to fund the war.

Philip was the last important king of the [[Capet]] line. He had three sons, each of which died shortly after assuming the throne. This break in “natural” succession was to be the major cause of the [[Hundred Years War]]. A daughter, Isobella, married [[Edward II]] of England. In the last year of Philip’s life a scandal erupted at the French court with the wives of all three of his sons being caught in allegedly adulterous relationships. Philip solved the problem by having their lovers executed.

Philip was the last important king of the [[Capet]] line. He had three sons, each of which died shortly after assuming the throne. This break in “natural” succession was to be the major cause of the [[Hundred Years War]]. A daughter, Isobella, married [[Edward II]] of England. In the last year of Philip’s life a scandal erupted at the French court with the wives of all three of his sons being caught in allegedly adulterous relationships. Philip solved the problem by having their lovers executed.