PHILIP IV., THE Fun (126S-1314). King of France from 2'S5 to 1314. Ile succeeded his father, Philip Ill. During his reign, which was of exceeding importance for the development of the French mimarchy, he had three prominent ad% isers, Pierre Hope. William of Nogaret, and Enguerrand of Narigny, who, being all taken from the rising legal class, were known as /egistes. The event which stands out most promi m:ntiv in this reign was the conflict with the Papacy under lioniface V111. (q.v.). The French government sou& to tax the clergy, whereupon lIoniface interfered and issued the bull I Wriris in 1296, ordering the clergy to refuse obedience to the King. Boniface, it is true, gave way at once when a decree was issued forbidding the exportation of metals from France, the effect of which would have been to cut off a large por tion of the Papal revenue, but the success of the Jubilee at. Rome in 1300 induced llonifaee to believe that he would find sufficient support. in a struggle with Philip IV., and hence when in 1301 Bernard Saisset, Bishop of Pamiers, Papal representative in France, was arrested there. Bonifaee issued his famous bull l'aant sanctum. This set forth the highest Papal pre tensions, and was a challenge to all monarchs of Europe. Philip, in order to be certain of support, summoned for the first time in the history of France the States-General. In 1303 while Boldface was at Anagni lie was suddenly cap tured by William of Nogaret, and, though re leased the following day, he died soon after as a result of the shock. After the short. rule of Benedict XL, Philip obtained in 1305 the election of his adherent, the Archbishop of Bordeaux, to the Papal chair, as Clement V. In 1309 the Pope took up his residence at Avignon, and until 137S the Papacy was entirely under French in fluence. this being the period of the so-called Babylonish Captivity. PAPACY.
Iht account of the increased expenditures of the monarchy, dne to its greater extension and enlarged duties, it was found more and more difficult to carry on the government with the old revenues alone. A temporary expedient was found by compelling Clement V. to condemn the wealthy Templars and deliver their property over to the French King. Philip early in his reign had difficulties with Edward 1. of England.
In 1294 he took possession of Guienne, Edward's territory. and in 1297 attacked Guy, Count of Flanders. who had supported the English mon areh. lioniface VIII. brought about a truer in and was restored to Edward.
When, however. Guy of Flanders appeared in Paris in 1300 to submit, Philip east him into prison. Ili: officials treated the wealthy Flemish cities en harshly that they revolted tinder Peter of Koninek. Philip's army was decisively defeat ed at Courtrai q.v.) in 1302, and in 130.5 he made peace, restoring Flanders to the son of Count Guy, the latter having died in prison.
Scholars have long disputed concerning the true character of Philip. Dn the one hand he has been represented as an avaricious, scheming monarch: on the other as a mild man. who was completely in the hands of hold councilors. But concerning the results of his reign there is no question. Feudalism was suppressed. and the power of the Crown vastly extended. In order ro meet the financial needs of the State, the taxes were increased, the Jews persecuted, and their property confiscated; and when these means were insufficient. the coinage was debased. Consult: Boutarie, La. Prance sous Philippe lc Bel (Paris, 1861); Funek-Brentano, Philippe le Bel et h& Planar(' (ib, 1896) ; Jully, Philippe le Bel (ib., 1869).