THE DECLINE AND FALL
302
CHAP.
LXIX.
pense of the conclave was fixed by the dexterityof the French faction. A specious offer wasmade and accepted, that, in the term of fortydays, they would elect one of the three candi-dates who should be named by their opponents.The archbishop of Bourdeaux, a furious enemyof his king and country, was the first on the list;but his ambition was known; and his con-science obeyed the calls of fortune and the com-mands of a benefactor, who had been informedby a swift messenger that the choice of a popewas now in his hands. The terms were regu-lated in a private interview; and with such speedand secrecy was the business transacted, thatthe unanimous conclave applauded the elevationof Clement the fifth.* The cardinals of bothparties were soon astonished by a summons toattend him beyond the Alps; from whence, asthey soon discovered, they must never hope toreturn. He was engaged, by promise and affec-tion, to prefer the residence of France ; and,after dragging his court through Poitou andGascogny, and devouring, by his expence, thecities and convents on the roads, he finally re-posed at Avignon , 1 which flourished above se-
1 See in the Chronicle of Giovanni Villani (1. viii, c. 63,64, 80, inMuratori, tom. xiii) the imprisonment of Boniface VIII , and the elec-tion of Clement V., the last of which, like most anecdotes, is embar-rassed with some difficulties.
1 The original lives of the eight popes of Avignon, Clement V, JohnXXII, Benedict XII , Clement VI , Innocent VI, Urban V , Gre-gory XI, and Clement VII , are published by Stephen Baluze (VitasPaparnm Avenionensium : Paris 1693,2 vols in 4to.) with copious andelaborate notes, and a second volume of acts and documents. Withthe true zeal of an editor and a patriot, he devoutly justifies or excusesthe characters of his countrymen.