The Papacy and the Eastern Mediterranean 1305-1362
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The Papacy and the Eastern Mediterranean 1305 – 1362 James Anthony Nigel Hill Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy The University of Leeds School of History August, 2017 - ii - The candidate confirms that the work submitted is his own and that appropriate credit has been given where reference has been made to the work of others. This copy has been supplied on the understanding that it is copyright material and that no quotation from the thesis may be published without proper acknowledgement. The right of James Hill to be identified as Author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. © 2017 The University of Leeds and James Anthony Nigel Hill - iii - Acknowledgements First and foremost, I would like to thank the staff and support of the School of History and the Institute for Medieval Studies at the University of Leeds, as without them, this PhD would never have come about. I would particularly like to thank my supervisors, Professor Graham Loud and Dr Melanie Brunner, whose unceasing support, attention, wisdom, and knowledge has carried me through the whole process. Graham’s unflinching defence of the English language has undoubtedly made me a better writer and scholar, and Melanie’s constant drive to get the heart of the issue has improved both my thinking and work throughout the PhD. Thank you both so much. Particular thanks go to my examiners, Dr Alan Murray and Dr Barbara Bombi, whose attention has improved this work and who both have had a hand in shaping this project. Barbara, many years ago, first introduced me to Registrum Vaticanum 62 and started me along this path of exploration between the papacy and the wider world. Alan has helped rein in my intellectual excesses with necessary doses of reality; for you were entirely correct, it turns out that including all of Asia would have been a touch ambitious for a three year project. This project owes a great debt to both of you, and while it may have developed substantially, you’ve both seen the beginning and the end. You have my gratitude. I would also like to thank Professor Emilia Jamroziak for all her hard work looking after the Institute for Medieval Studies, and helping all the students in it, myself very much included. You have been an invaluable aide in navigating university bureaucracy and locating hidden sources of funding, as well as looking out for all us students. Thanks also go to the many support staff that have handled different aspects of the administration of my PhD, teaching, and finances, who generally go unsung. It really is appreciated. To all my colleagues in the IMS in Leeds, both current and old, thank you for sharing this journey and for all the support, kindness, and knowledge you have provided. I would like to thank in particular Hervin Fernández-Aceves, Daniele Morossi, and Francesca Petrizzo, my supervisee cohort and fellow conference organisers for their thoughts and solidarity. I would also like to thank Trevor Smith and Jan Vandeburie for their support and the opportunities they have provided (and for dubious computer game suggestions). My most heartfelt gratitude also goes to - iv - all the students and fellow instructors, both past and present, of the Leeds University Taekwondo Club, which has always acted as a stabilising influence and has allowed me meet a great host of diverse and brilliant people. It has been a pleasure to teach and train with you, and thank you for helping me maintain my perspective. Without funding from the School of History, this project would not have been able to be researched, and I am deeply grateful to the department for that. I would also like to thank the University of Leeds library, where I worked for over two years, for their understanding and flexibility. Finally, I would like to thank the University Outreach department for the opportunities they have given me, allowing me to share my experience with young researchers and for trusting me with looking after the whole research skills programme by the end. I could not have done all this without these jobs and funds. My family has been deeply supportive of my efforts, and I would like to thank them for their unquestioning faith and approval, even if they don’t always know what I do with my days. My mum and dad, Carol and Joe, my sister Nicole, her husband Paul, their son Ben, my brother Stuart, and his wife Louise: thank you all. Last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank my partner, Victoria Cooper. Your love and support have helped me through the last few years and your patience and understanding has helped me better understand a lot of things. You’ve proved to be a wise companion, an attentive proof-reader, and a wonderful human. I can think of no better person to boldly go forward with. Thank you. - v - Abstract The papacy was actively involved in the Eastern Mediterranean throughout the fourteenth century, and evidence of much of its activity can be found in the registers preserved in the Vatican Archives. By using a source base of nearly 1,300 letters drawn from the registers directly relating to activity in the Eastern Mediterranean and supporting non-papal evidence, this thesis explores the aims, intentions, and outcomes of papal policy toward the East. The Eastern Mediterranean during the Avignon period was a site of exchange, trade, and conflict, and the papacy was actively involved in controlling behaviour and propagating its own agenda. An analysis of these policies and interventions allows for an evaluation of the papacy’s ability to establish and maintain authority and exercise power. This thesis contextualises the reasons why the papacy was able to act, or was unable to act, alongside the intentions of the papacy, for a greater understanding of the popes’ influence and activity in the region. The papacy clearly maintained a consistent interest in the East throughout the Avignon period and enacted a series of policies designed to control the behaviour of Catholics living and working in the East, increase its influence over other Christian Churches, and engage with non-Christian political powers. Most individuals, institutions, and polities accepted the authority of the papacy, but the power of the papacy was limited. It was largely unable to enforce its will even though most actors in the Eastern Mediterranean accepted its right to impose its agenda. Despite this lack of power, respect for the papacy’s authority led to some significant achievements, and the evidence base demonstrates a complicated series of policies aimed at securing Catholic interests. - vi - Table of Contents Acknowledgements ......................................................................................... iii Abstract ............................................................................................................ v Table of Contents ........................................................................................... vi List of Abbreviations .................................................................................... viii Introduction ..................................................................................................... 1 The Papal Registers and Their Editions .......................................... 8 Non-Papal Sources ........................................................................ 16 Chapter Structure ........................................................................... 22 I. Papal Control over Catholic Activity in the Eastern Mediterranean ................................................................................................................ 28 1. Control of Trade with the Muslim World ..................................... 31 Crusade propaganda ...................................................................... 36 The Effectiveness of Papal Trade Controls ................................... 41 The Purpose of Papal Trade Controls............................................ 48 Trade Licences .............................................................................. 53 2. Pilgrim Licences ............................................................................ 67 The Content of Pilgrim Licences................................................... 70 Licence Acquisition and Necessity ............................................... 73 Pilgrim Licences as Markers of Papal Authority .......................... 78 3. Marriage Licences ......................................................................... 83 The Injunction against Incest amongst Catholics .......................... 84 The Injunction Controlling inter-Christian Marriages .................. 88 Marriage with Regard to Converts ................................................ 95 The Extent of Papal Control over Catholic Activity in the Eastern Mediterranean .............................................................................. 102 II. The Papacy and non-Latin Christian Churches .............................. 105 4. Churches in negotiation over union with Avignon ..................... 108 The Byzantine Church ................................................................. 108 The Process of Reaching for Union with Byzantium .................. 112 The Sincerity of Attempts at Union with Byzantium .................. 118 The Serbian Church ..................................................................... 128 - vii - 5. Churches in union with Avignon .................................................132