Philip IV, the Fair ('le Bel') 1268-1314
King of France

Born at Fontainebleau, he succeeded his father, Philip III, the Bold, in 1285. By his marriage with Queen Joanna of Navarre he acquired Navarre, Champagne and Brie. He overran Flanders, but was defeated by the Flemings at Courtrai (1302). His struggle with Pope Boniface VIII arose from his attempts to tax the French clergy. The pope forbade this (1296) in the Papal Bull Clericis laicos, to which Philip replied by prohibiting the export of money or valuables. A temporary reconciliation was ended (1301) by a fresh quarrel, precipitated by Philip's arrest and trial of Bernard Saisset, Bishop of Pamiers. The king's reply to the Papal Bull Unam Sanctam was to send his Minister William de Nogaret to seize Boniface, who escaped but died soon afterwards (1303). After the short pontificate of Benedict XI, Philip procured the elevation of the pliant Frenchman, Clement V (1305), who came to reside at Avignon, thus beginning the 70 years' 'Babylonish captivity' of the papacy. Coveting the wealth of the Templars, Philip forced the pope to suppress the order (1312) and he appropriated their property. He fostered a strong central adminstration in France, encouraged French unity by summoning the Estates General and appointed capable ministers.