Pope Benedict XII (1334-1342)

Long before his election as pope in 1334, Jacques Fournier (c. 12851342) had been one of the key figures of the Avignon papal court. Not only was he renowned for rooting out heretics in Languedoc, but he also distinguished himself as a refined theologian, advising John XXII on sensitive doctrinal matters. Once elected, Pope Benedict XII faced some of the most significant and animated religious and political challenges of the time of the Avignon Church: theological quarrels, divisions and schisms within the Church, conflicts between European sovereigns, and the growth of Turkish power in the East. Despite the extraordinary events that marked his life and work, there has been no comprehensive monograph on Benedict XII for over a century. On the one hand, ironically, this situation is due to the survival of Fournier's inquisitorial register, which has attracted great scholarly attention, obscuring his wider activities and legacy. On the other hand, Benedict's personality has been overshadowed by the long and much studied pontificate of his predecessor, John XXII (13161334). Thus, while individual studies have touched upon specific aspects of Benedict's career, a complete fulllength overview of the life and work of this pope has yet to emerge. The present volume not only fulfils this essential purpose but also offers a fresh perspective on several aspects of the career and pontificate of Benedict XII. Ten experts in different fields of research reconsider Fournier's inquisitorial involvement, analyse his theological contribution, and examine the major political, religious, administrative, and artistic contributions of his pontificate. They focus on different geographic contexts, ranging from the Avignon region and Western Europe, to the Eastern Mediterranean and the Mongol Khanates. Far from focusing solely on 'the man', the volume seeks to appreciate the complexity of relations that existed between the Holy See and its principal interlocutors, an