Philip IV summary

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Philip IV, French Philippe known as Philip the Fair, (born 1268, Fontainebleau, France—died Nov. 29, 1314, Fontainebleau), King of France (1285–1314). On inheriting the French throne, he modeled himself on his grandfather, Louis IX. He was also king of Navarre (as Philip I, 1284–1305), ruling jointly with his wife, Joan I of Navarre. War with England (1294–1303) ended with a peace treaty and the betrothal of his daughter to the future Edward II. Philip forced a harsh treaty on Flanders in 1305. He conducted a long struggle with Boniface VIII (1297–1303) that led to the breakdown of the medieval papacy. He was pacified by succeeding popes, including Clement V, who began the Avignon papacy. Philip expelled the Jews from France (1306), and his persecution of the Knights Templar in 1307 led to their suppression by the pope four years later.

Avignon papacy Summary

Avignon papacy, Roman Catholic papacy during the period 1309–77, when the popes took up residence at Avignon, France, instead of at Rome, primarily because of the current political conditions. Distressed by factionalism in Rome and pressed to come to France by Philip IV, Pope Clement V moved the

Estates-General Summary

Estates-General, in France of the pre-Revolution monarchy, the representative assembly of the three “estates,” or orders of the realm: the clergy (First Estate) and nobility (Second Estate)—which were privileged minorities—and the Third Estate, which represented the majority of the people. The

church and state Summary

Church and state, the concept, largely Christian, that the religious and political powers in society are clearly distinct, though both claim the people’s loyalty. A brief treatment of church and state follows. For full treatment, see Christianity: Church and state. Before the advent of

A mounted Templar charging into battle, detail of a fresco in the Templar chapel at Cressac, France.

Templar Summary

Templar, member of the Poor Knights of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, a religious military order of knighthood established at the time of the Crusades that became a model and inspiration for other military orders. Originally founded to protect Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land, the order