Chapter III

THE AGE OF FAITH IN THE WEST--(_Continued_).

OVERTHROW OF THE ITALIAN SYSTEM BY THE COMBINED INTELLECTUAL AND MORAL ATTACK.

_Progress of Irreligion among the mendicant Orders.--Publication of heretical Books.--The Everlasting Gospel and the Comment on the Apocalypse._

_Conflict between Philip the Fair and Boniface VIII.--Outrage upon and death of the Pope._

_The French King removes the Papacy from Rome to Avignon.--Post-mortem Trial of the Pope for Atheism and Immorality.--Causes and Consequences of the Atheism of the Pope._

_The Templars fall into Infidelity.--Their Trial, Conviction, and Punishment._

_Immoralities of the Papal Court at Avignon.--Its return to Rome.--Causes of the great Schism.--Disorganization of the Italian System.--Decomposition of the Papacy.--Three Popes._

_The Council of Constance attempts to convert the papal Autocracy into a constitutional Monarchy.--It murders John Huss and Jerome of Prague.--Pontificate of Nicolas V.--End of the intellectual influence of the Italian System._