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The Palais des Papes (right) and the Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Doms d'Avignon (left), on the Place du Palais.
King Philip IV of France attempted to assert control over the (Roman Catholic) clergy of France, during the early years of the 14th C. Pope Boniface VIII resisted, leading to a violent conflict. French troops seized Boniface at his residence in Anagni (near Rome) and beat him during three days of captivity. Boniface VIII died shortly thereafter, and his successor, Benedict XI, died after eight months in office. Philip then forced the election of a French pope, Clement V, who refused to move to Rome. Instead, he established his court at Avignon, which was then an enclave of the Papal States. Thus began the Avignon Papacy (or "Babylonian Captivity"). A succession of seven popes, all French and all under the influence of the French Crown, reigned at Avignon for 67 years. The popes returned to Rome in 1377.
2017 June 24.