Everything Everywhere Daily · Tuesday, September 15, 2026
The Avignon Papacy originated from a conflict between King Philip IV of France and Pope Boniface VIII, stemming from Philip's attempts to tax the French clergy. This dispute escalated with Boniface's strong statements of papal supremacy and Philip's aggressive legal and physical actions against the Pope.
“The immediate origins of the Avignon Papacy lay in the struggle between King Philip IV of France and Pope Boniface VIII.”
“Philip, nonetheless, imposed financial demands on the French clergy. Boniface responded in 1296 with the papal bull Clericis Laicos, which prohibited secular rulers from taxing clergy without papal approval.”
“In 1302, Boniface issued Unam Sanctam, one of the strongest statements of papal supremacy ever produced.”