History Western Civilization: Lesson 145 Essay – (1) “What was the significance of the conflict between Philip IV and Boniface VIII?” (2) “Based on the video and your reading, what were effects on Europe of the Black Death?”

The main conflict between Philip IV and Boniface VII was over the taxation of clergy. Philip IV initiated the taxes without the consent of Pope Boniface VIII. It was considered to be an honorary custom to ask for the Pope’s consent before the King taxed the clergy. Philip IV was desperate for money so he broke way from the custom. Pope Boniface VIII got mad at Philip IV for not asking him first. The Pope wrote Philip IV a letter saying that Philip could not bypass him in the way he did. Philip then threatened to stop all money from leaving the Church in France to go to other churches. Boniface gave in after the threat. Then Philip put a bishop from in jail without a Church trial and this was the final straw for Boniface. Boniface wrote Philip multiple letters saying that the King had no right to control money moving in or out of the Church and the King could not make decisions that the Pope and other high clergy members should be making. Boniface said the King could not interfere with any Church matters and the King could not override the Pope’s moral judgments. Philip did not accept Boniface’s ideas, and he sent men to beat the Pope up. Philip thought the King could do whatever he wanted.

About  1/3 of the European population died from the Black Death. Bubonic plague was spread by fleas. Pneumonic plague was spread through sneezing and coughing. Many people went crazy from this crisis. Some people heavily indulged in bodily pleasures because they wanted to please themselves while they could. Others would starve themselves and beat themselves to try and please God. Many workers died so the remaining workers were in high demand. This led to pay increases and caused a conflict between the rich and low-class workers/slaves.