The Papacy put forth its most extensive claims under
Boniface VIII. The character of these claims is shown by two bulls which he
issued. The first forbade all laymen, under penalty of excommunication, to
collect taxes on Church lands, and all clergymen to pay them. The second
announced in unmistakable terms both the spiritual and the temporal supremacy
of the popes. "Submission to the Roman pontiff," declared Boniface,
"is altogether necessary to salvation for every human creature".
BONIFACE AND PHILIP THE FAIR
Boniface had employed the exalted language of Gregory VII
in dealing with Henry IV, but he found an opponent in a monarch more resolute
and resourceful than any Holy Roman Emperor. This was Philip the Fair, king
of France. Philip answered the first bull by refusing to allow any gold and
silver to be exported from France to Italy. The pope, thus deprived of valuable
revenues, gave way and acknowledged that the French ruler had a limited right
to tax the clergy. Another dispute soon arose, however, as the result of
Philip's imprisonment and trial of an obnoxious papal legate. Angered by this
action, Boniface prepared to excommunicate the king and depose him from the
throne. Philip retaliated by calling together the Estates-General and asking
their support for the preservation of the "ancient liberty of France."
The nobles, the clergy, and the "third estate" rallied around Philip,
accused the pope of heresy and tyranny, and declared that the French king was
subject to God alone.
