To quote from the Cambridge Medieval History: "When we turn to France, we encounter hard facts, the growth of a national monarchy, ruthless and efficient, which aimed at being the chief of European states. It was molded by feudal institutions which it dominated, it was draped in the colors of chivalry which it professed, but its esential power lay in the hold of the kingship over its subjects and in the ability of the ureaucrats in its employ. It was fitted to take up the challenge of the secularized Papacy with its claims of world dominion, and to insist on the independence of the lay governments."
Philip the 4th "and his bureaucrats were determined to exact from his great vassals full submission to his rights under the now completely developed system of feudal jurisprudence -- a state of things very different from the practical autonomy they had enjoyed in the 12th century; -- secondly, to ennex to the royal domain, as opportunity offered under feudal law, all or part of the lands of these too dangerous potentates."
His agents succeeded (literally!) in dragging the Pope off his throne, and transferred the Papacy to Avignon. His attempts to curb his great vassals, most notably the Count of Flanders and Edward I of England, failed. But the History notes "the less obtrusive success of his persistent nibbling all along the western border of the empire, " most notably the acquisition of Lyons. Unfortunately, his appetite for expansion was "ruinous to finances." He vastly expanded taxes, and ended by debasing the coinage. He made money by regular plundering: first the Jews, then the Templars, then the Italian bankers. Ironically, as a result of his exactions he had to call the first Estates General in 1302. Although he was one of the key builders of the French state, his male line died out soon after he did, and the struggle over who was the rightful heir opened the Hundred Years War.
The parallels to Guimarn the Fat are obvious, although Theoblanc is obviously smarter (and longer-lived!) than Pope Benedict.
The rising secularism of the period can also be seen philosophically in the work of Marsilius of Padua, Defensor Pacis. Marsilius managed to find places to hide from the Inquisition until he died of natural causes!
In an earlier thread related to HtWwO, it was suggested that the Hrestoli victories at the LARPs were related to the fact that they had a modern paradigm, while the Rokari were stuck in a medieval one. I expect that the Rokari will respond with their own Counter-Reformation paradigm, expressed at their version of the Council of Trent, and with the foundation of some new orders (Jesuits, anyone?)
Jim Chapin
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