"Babylonian Captivity"

"Babylonian Captivity"

What: Papacy settled in Avignon, forced from Rome because of civil strife; influenced by France because of its proximity; compared to the Jews' exile in Babylon

Given this title by Petrarch who disliked the Church being in the hands of wealthy, extravagent French pontiffs

When: 1309-1378

Why significant: Avignon popes established a sober, efficient organization; regular taxes; gave papacy more say than ever before in appointing clergymen

Later-- slowly abandoned this level of Church control and allowed States to regulate their own affairs

--From the Hunt text, mostly