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Chronicle of Salimbene de Adam
Positive view of the papacy
3 categories in which he views and evaluates the papacy.
“In the time of Innocent, his [St. Francis’] work arose from its source,
And ended, under Honorius, its glorious, terrestrial course;
Yet, under Gregory, his miracles and fame
Bestowed an even more sanctified name.” pp. 9-10
-Franciscans had a good relationship with the papacy since Innocent III approved of Francis-see evidence of this close relationship in Francis’ work achieving greater heights under Gregory
-Innocent III– saw a vision of a poor
little man holding up the crumbling Church of the Lateran. pp.
288-9. –the Franciscans helping the papacy and the Church -
Also issued a decree that: “Lest too great a diversity of
religious Orders bring disorder upon the Church of God, we firmly
prohibit anyone from founding a new Order.” p. 499.
-Many popes were Governor, Protector, and Corrector of the Order as Cardinals “through divine grace and the help of St. Francis.” - Nicholas III, Gregory IX, Alexander IV, John XXI. p. 509
-Gregory IX had been “close friend.” p. 384. He was responsible for the canonization of Francis on 16 July 1228. p. 11. He deposed Brother Elias at a general chapter as “he well deserved to be deposed because of his many faults.” p .77.
-Innocent IV had 6 friars with him at all times, which Salimbene reports to have seen “with [his] own eyes.” p. 201.
-Nicholas III “wrote an exposition of the Brother’s Rule, clarifying points difficult to understand.” p. 509
-Alexander IV combined all Hermits [St. Augustine’s, St. William’s, the Favali, the Britti, and the Jambonitani] into one order – the Britti had taken the grey Franciscan robe- this privilege was then reserved only to the Franciscans. p. 248. Alex IV also condemned a book that stated that men of a religious order to preach while living on alms could not be saved. p. 300.
-Alexander IV also allowed the Friars to hear confession of the laity- story told by pope to St. Bonaventure. pp. 412-413. a priest tries to rape a woman in secret but is found out
-Clement IV was in England when elected pope- would not be consecrated until visiting the Church of the Blessed Francis in Assisi. p. 479.
-Gregory X abolished the Order of the Sack by “divine inspiration” – they were a mock-Franciscan, simi-heretical sect – “For he wished to diminish the proliferation of the mendicant orders to avoid overburdening the Christian people.” – also annihilated the Order of the Apostles, whom Salimbene really hated. p. 249.
Thus we seen that a number of men closely associated with the Franciscans became popes during Salimbene’s lifetime. Because of Francis’ unquestionable loyalty to the popes, the Brothers provided an acceptable outlet for the popular piety movements of the period. In return, the popes provided protection for the Order against competing orders and attacks from the other bodies in the church.
Papacy and the Empire –
-Joachimism- Salimbene cites Abbot Joachim
that: “Some [popes] shall contend with princes, while others
shall live their days in peace.” Salimbene interprets
this: “For Alexander III, Innocent III, Gregory IX, and
Innocent IV struggled mightily against the princes of state, but
Honorius III, Alexander IV and Clement IV lived peacefully.”
p. 10
Because Salimbene’s Joachimist beliefs lead him to believe that Frederick is an anti-Christ figure, he must conversely view the papacy in a very positive light as Frederick’s chief opponent. This is echoed when…
-Salimbene heard Innocent IV at Ferrara- “It has been fully confirmed to us that that lord, that sometime Emperor, is now dead- our enemy and the enemy of God and of the Church.” p. 164.
-Salimbene praises Innocent III “During [his] pontificate… the Church grew and flourished, maintaining its preeminence over the Roman Empire and all the kings and princes of the whole world.” p. 5. – increasing the power of the Church was a positive.
-Gregory IX is praised for his battles with Frederick – S. writes “So great was the strife between these two that the Ship of St. Peter under the pontificate of Gregory was almost sunk into the abyss.” p. 10. Gregory also excommunicated that sometime emperor and devil, Frederick II.
-Innocent IV sent Brother Simon of Montesarchio to Sicily and Apulia to turn the people to the pope- captured by Fred- 18 different tortures used but S. reports they “could extort nothing from him except divine praise. God did many miracles through him. May he be intercessor for us! Amen.” p. 318. Brother Simon was a friend of Salimbene’s, who viewed his death as a martyrdom.
So Salimbene’s apocalyptic views taint not only his view of Frederick II as a devil and anti-Christ, but also lead him to view the papacy in an even greater light as God’s champion against the forces of evil
Salimbene’s personal ties with the popes –
-Many personal ties come through Parma
– In 1247 Parma was besieged by Fred. II because it sided
with the Church. Salimbene traveled to Innocent IV at
Lyons were he was invited to the pope’s private chamber to
give news from Parma. p. 29.
-Parma receives help from Innocent IV and
from his allies: Innocent’s brother-in-law and strongly
papal cities such as Bologna and Ferrara. p. 181.
-Martin IV had studied law in Parma and
was on “exceedingly good terms with the city. p. 519.
-Connnections were also more personal - Innocent IV had been a canon at the church in Parma- Salimbene’s father knew him personally and tried to convince him to restore his son to him. p. 37.
-Innocent also kept a large company of Friars with him, confirmed Salimbene to preach in Lyons in his private chambers, absolved him, and gave him other favours. p. 38.