History: Bonifice VIII

1294- 1303 - Pope Bonifice VIII was a controversial fourteenth century pope. When Philip IV intended to tax the clergy, Bonifice responded that clergy could not pay taxes in any state without papal consent. The power struggle underscored the inherent tension between the powerful European monarchs and the supreme papal authority. Bonifice wrote a series of letters to solidify his argument. One of them was the Unam Sanctam , see below, which he wrote in 1302. Bonifice intended to excommunicate Phillip, however Philip conspired to have the pope brought on charges of heresy. Eventually the pope was captured, freed again, and then killed by conspirators who were incited to the action by Philip.