
Was Pope Clement VII a good pope?
Clement VII would have been remembered as one of the great popes of all time, had he lived in another age. He sponsored the artistic works of Cellini, Raphael and Michelangelo, including the completion of the Sistine chapel. He forbade the persecution of Jews in Rome and ordered the Inquisition to leave them alone.
Who was the pope during 1527?
Clement VIIClement VII, original name Giulio de' Medici, (born May 26, 1478, Florence [Italy]—died September 25, 1534, Rome), pope from 1523 to 1534.
Which Pope saved Catherine de Medici?
Pope Clement VIIPope Clement VII raised his armies to save a young Catherine de' Medici, who later became the Queen of France. Pope Clement found Catherine back in Rome with tears in his eyes after her liberation.
Who attacked the Vatican in 1527?
Emperor Charles VA Prelude to the Wars of Religion: The Sack of Rome (1527) The Sack of Rome in May 1527 by the troops of Emperor Charles V—king of Germany, Spain, Naples, and Sicily, and ruler of the Netherlands—was an event of rare violence that left a deep impression during the sixteenth century.
Which pope betrayed the Knights Templar?
Pope ClementClement dissolved the Templars in 1312. The modern-day Catholic Church has admitted that the persecution of the Knights Templar was unjustified and claimed that Pope Clement was pressured by secular rulers to dissolve the order.
Which pope excommunicated Martin Luther?
In 1520, Leo issued the papal bull Exsurge Domine demanding Luther retract 41 of his 95 theses, and after Luther's refusal, excommunicated him. Some historians believe that Leo never really took Luther's movement or his followers seriously, even until the time of his death in 1521.
Has a pope ever had a child?
There are plenty of Popes in history who, despite their vow of celibacy, have broken this rule. These include popes who were married, had long-term partners, lovers, and even a few that had children. Some Popes in history have even been known to be the son of previous Popes, who had been moulded into taking over.
Why did Catherine poison Francis?
Francis' deeply cared about his mother and was grateful that she had always supported him. Although, Catherine poisoned him so she could become regent of her younger son and Francis's brother Charles.
Did Catherine de Medici have a lover?
Whilst initially her role was a maternal one, when Henry was 17 years old (and three years married to Catherine) they became lovers.
Which pope was killed by soldiers?
Pope Sixtus II As the pope was sitting in his episcopal chair addressing his congregation inside a Roman cemetery on August 6, 258, imperial troops stormed the liturgical service and beheaded the pontiff along with four deacons.
Which pope saved the Colosseum?
Much of his efforts went to renovate and improve churches in Rome and the Papal States. He ordered the strengthening of the Colosseum, which was feared to be on the verge of collapse. Huge sums were spent in the excavation of Christian catacombs, for which Pius created a new archaeological commission in 1853.
What happened at the Vatican in 1527?
Forces under the banner of Charles V sack Rome On May 6, 1527, the unthinkable occurred. An army of more than 20,000 soldiers invaded Rome—the Eternal City—and violently looted and pillaged it for over a month.
Why was king Henry upset with the pope?
Henry, who was looking for a way out of his marriage to his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, ignored the pope's warning. He went on to marry Anne Boleyn (and four subsequent wives), leading to his excommunication and one of the most significant schisms in the history of Christianity.
Which pope helped end the Cold War?
Pope John Paul IIRonald Reagan And Pope John Paul II: The Partnership That Changed The World. Former attorney general Edwin Meese III explains the relationship between President Reagan and Pope John Paul II and how their collaboration helped end the Cold War.
What was pope Benedict XVI accused of?
over child sexual abuseBenedict, formerly known as Joseph Ratzinger, was accused last month in an investigative report of failing to act over child sexual abuse during his time as archbishop of Munich.
Who was pope Paul III and what did he do?
Paul III, original name Alessandro Farnese, (born Feb. 29, 1468, Canino, Papal States—died Nov. 10, 1549, Rome), Italian noble who was the last of the Renaissance popes (reigned 1534–49) and the first pope of the Counter-Reformation.
What happened to Rome during the sack?
The Sack of Rome, then part of the Papal States, followed the capture of the city on 6 May 1527 by the mutinous troops of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor during the War of the League of Cognac. Rioting over unpaid salaries, the German Landsknechts, many of whom were of Protestant faith, together with Spanish soldiers and Italian mercenaries, entered the city of Rome and immediately began looting, slaying and holding citizens for ransom. The sack debilitated the League of Cognac, an alliance formed by France, Milan, Venice, Florence and the Papacy against Charles V. Pope Clement VII took refuge in Castel Sant'Angelo after the Swiss Guard were annihilated in a delaying rearguard action, where he remained until a ransom was paid to the pillagers. By February 1528 lack of food and an outbreak of plague led to the armies abandoning the city, whose population had dropped from 55,000 to 10,000. Benvenuto Cellini, eyewitness to the events, described the sack in his works.
How many people died in the sack of Rome?
45,000 civilians dead, wounded, or exiled. The Sack of Rome, then part of the Papal States, followed the capture of the city on 6 May 1527 by the troops of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor during the War of the League of Cognac.
What were the effects of the Sack?
The Sack had major repercussions for Italian society and culture, and in particular, for Rome. Clement's War of the League of Cognac would be the last fight for Italian independence and unity until the nineteenth century. Rome, which had been a center of Italian High Renaissance culture and patronage before the Sack, suffered depopulation and economic collapse, causing artists and thinkers to scatter. The city's population dropped from over 55,000 before the attack to 10,000 afterward. An estimated 6,000 to 12,000 people were murdered. Many Imperial soldiers also died in the aftermath, largely from diseases caused by masses of unburied corpses in the streets. Pillaging finally ended in February 1528, eight months after the initial attack, when the city's food supply ran out, there was no one left to ransom, and plague appeared. Clement would continue artistic patronage and building projects in Rome, but a perceived Medicean golden age had passed. The city did not recover its population losses until approximately 1560.
What was the impact of the sack of Rome?
Biblioteca Museu Víctor Balaguer. Often cited as the end of the Italian High Renaissance, the Sack of Rome impacted the histories of Europe, Italy, and Christianity, creating lasting ripple effects throughout European culture and politics.
What did Pope Clement VII do before the sack?
Before the Sack, Pope Clement VII opposed the ambitions of Emperor Charles V and the Spanish, who he believed wished to dominate Italy and the Church. Afterward, he no longer had the military or financial resources to do so. To avert more warfare, Clement adopted a conciliatory policy toward Charles.
What was the last battle for Italian independence?
Clement's War of the League of Cognac would be the last fight for Italian independence and unity until the nineteenth century. Rome, which had been a center of Italian High Renaissance culture and patronage before the Sack, suffered depopulation and economic collapse, causing artists and thinkers to scatter.
Where was Clement a prisoner?
After three days of ravages, Philibert ordered the sack to cease, but few obeyed. In the meantime, Clement remained a prisoner in Castel Sant'Angelo. Francesco Maria della Rovere and Michele Antonio of Saluzzo arrived with troops on 1 June in Monterosi, north of the city.
What happened in 1527?
Victory over the French at Pavia in 1525 left the forces of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, dominant in Italy. In 1527 these forces stormed the city of Rome and embarked on an orgy of destruction and massacre, terrorizing the population and humiliating Pope Clement VII.
Why did Pope Clement form the League of Cognac?
Pope Clement had unwisely formed an alliance, the League of Cognac, to challenge Charles’s supremacy in Italy. Rome was not, however, attacked on the emperor’s orders, but on the initiative of imperial troops angry at not being paid.
When was the sack of Rome?
A summary of the Sack of Rome on May 6, 1527.
Who was the French aristocrat who mutinied and marched on Rome?
These ragged and hungry soldiers, including German Landsknecht mercenaries and Spanish infantry, mutinied and marched on Rome, under the command of renegade French aristocrat the Duke of Bourbon. Charles V. Charles V with his hunting dog, oil on wood by Jakob Seisenegger, 1532; in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.
Why didn't Clement VII pursue the top positions in the church?
Despite desiring to, Clement VII couldn’t pursue the top positions in the church due to his illegitimate birth and was forced to join the military.
What was Pope Clement VII known for?
Pope Clement VII was known for his approval of science and for protecting the Jews from the Portuguese Inquisition.
Why did Pope Clement VII not approve of Catherine of Aragon's marriage?
When King Henry VIII of England wanted to annul his marriage with Catherine of Aragon, the aunt of Emperor Charles V, Pope Clement VII couldn’t approve of it as he was a captive of the latter.
What challenges did Clement VII face?
With a reputation of serving his previous posts with dignity and distinction, Clement VII faced many challenges like the ‘Protestant Reformation’, foreign invasion, bankruptcy as well as getting caught between two powerful kings, Francis I of France and Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.
What happened to Charles III?
When Charles III, Duke of Bourbon, died during a siege in the ongoing Sack of Rome , his troops went on a rampage in Rome. Rapes, loot, vandalism and murders marked the end of the ‘Renaissance Rome’. Pope Clement had to take refuge at the Castel Sant'Angelo and agreed to pay a sum of 400,000 ducati for his life.
When did Pope Adrian VI die?
Pope Adrian VI’s reign was short-lived as he passed away on September 14, 1523, within a year of him becoming the pope. Clement VII was favored as a candidate by Emperor Charles V. This helped him overcome the opposition from France and finally become the pope on November 19, 1523. His very first attempt to unite France, Spain, England, ...
Who was the ruler of Florence after Lorenzo II de Medici died?
After his cousin Lorenzo II de Medici died in 1519, Clement VII took charge of Florence. He successfully managed to control the civic bodies and the economy, restoring the city of Florence.
Forces under the banner of Charles V sack Rome
On May 6, 1527, the unthinkable occurred. An army of more than 20,000 soldiers invaded Rome—the Eternal City—and violently looted and pillaged it for over a month.
Part of the Italian Wars
The Sack of Rome occurred amid the Italian Wars which saw French, Spanish and Imperial armies (the armies of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V) fight for dominance over the cities and states of the Italian peninsula.
The assault
In the early morning of May 6, 1527, Charles III, Duke of Bourbon and his forces began their assault on Rome. Despite Rome’s massive walls (built in the third century C.E. by the Roman emperor Aurelian), the Imperial army found the city ill-prepared for the attack.
The aftermath of the Sack
Clement VII and his court, despite surrendering, were held prisoners in Castel Sant’Angelo until he paid the 400,000-ducat ransom. The pope paid a few of these installments before escaping on December 7, 1527 to Orvieto, a nearby city on the border between the Papal States and Tuscany.
The impact of the Sack of Rome on art
The Sack of Rome also had a long-lasting impact on the cultural and artistic life of papal Rome. The sack displaced many artists and humanists working at the papal court.
The Sack of Rome in art
A new spirit infused art commissioned by the popes and prelates of the church after the sack. This art was inspired by the reform movements within the church and emphasized piety and doctrine, erasing any of the “pagan” elements of the High Renaissance (most famously embodied by the painter Giulio Romano’s erotic images, I Modi).
Additional resources
Jessica Goethals, “Vanquished Bodies, Weaponized Words: Pietro Aretino’s Conflicting Portraits of the Sexes and the Sack of Rome,” I Tatti: Studies in the Italian Renaissance 17 (2014): pp. 55–78
What is the conclusion of Gregorovius's multivolume narrative history of medieval Rome?
Gregorovius concludes his multivolume narrative history of medieval Rome with the sack and its aftermath. The clarity and readability of this engaging account compensates for its frequently subjective tone and analysis (on, for instance, Rome’s decline into “effeminacy”; p. 578). This edition is a facsimile of Hamilton’s original 1902 translation.
When was the Sack of Rome first published?
A thorough political-military history of the Sack of Rome, its causes, and its consequences. At its initial publication in 1972, it was the first thorough modern treatment of the event.
What is the official uniform of the Swiss Guard?
The official full dress uniform is of blue, red, orange and yellow with a distinctly Renaissance appearance. It was introduced by commandant Jules Repond (1910–1921) in 1914. Repond's design was inspired by 16th-century depictions of the Swiss Guard.
What was the purpose of Repond's project?
In his project to restore the Swiss Guard to its former prestige, Repond also dedicated himself to the study of historical costume, with the aim of designing a new uniform that would be both reflective of the historical Swiss costume of the 16th century and suited for military exercise.
Why did the expedition fail?
The expedition failed, in part thanks to new alliances made by Alexander VI against the French. When Cardinal della Rovere became Pope Julius II in 1503, he asked the Swiss Diet to provide him with a constant corps of 200 Swiss mercenaries. This was made possible through the financing of the German merchants from Augsburg, Bavaria, Ulrich and Jacob Fugger, who had invested in the Pope and saw it fit to protect their investment.
How much does a Swiss Guard uniform weigh?
There the uniform for each guardsman is tailor-made individually. The total set of Renaissance style clothing weighs 8 pounds (3.6 kg), and may be the heaviest and most complicated uniform in use by any standing army today. A single uniform requires 154 pieces and takes nearly 32 hours and 3 fittings to complete.
How tall are Swiss guards?
Recruits must have a professional degree or high school diploma and must be between 19 and 30 years of age and at least 174 cm (5 ft 8.5 in) tall. In 2009, the Pontifical Swiss Guard commandant, Daniel Anrig, suggested that the Guard might someday be open to recruiting women, but he added that the admission of female recruits remained far in the future.
What is the Swiss Guard?
Established in 1506 under Pope Julius II, the Pontifical Swiss Guard is among the oldest military units in continuous operation. The dress uniform is of blue, red, orange and yellow with a distinctly Renaissance appearance. The modern guard has the role of bodyguard of the Pope.
Who designed the Renaissance style uniforms?
Repond designed the distinctive Renaissance-style uniforms still worn by the modern Swiss Guard. The introduction of the new uniforms was completed in May 1914. The foundation of Vatican City as a modern sovereign state was negotiated in the Lateran Treaty of 1929.

Overview
The Sack of Rome, then part of the Papal States, followed the capture of the city on 6 May 1527 by the mutinous troops of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor during the War of the League of Cognac. Despite not being ordered to storm the city, with Charles V intending to only use the threat of military action to make Pope Clement VII come to his terms, a largely unpaid Imperial army formed by 14,00…
Preceding events
The growing power of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V alarmed Pope Clement VII, who perceived Charles as attempting to dominate the Catholic Church and Italy. Clement VII formed an alliance with Charles V's arch-enemy, King Francis I of France, which came to be known as the League of Cognac, to resist the Habsburg dynasty in Italy.
The army of the Holy Roman Emperor defeated the French army in Italy, but funds were not availa…
Sack
The imperial troops were 14,000 Germans, 6,000 Spanish, and an uncertain number of Italian infantry. The troops defending Rome were not at all numerous, consisting of 5,000 militiamen led by Renzo da Ceri and 189 papal Swiss Guard. The city's fortifications included the massive walls, and it possessed a good artillery force, which the imperial army lacked. Duke Charles needed to conque…
Aftermath and effects
Often cited as the end of the Italian High Renaissance, the Sack of Rome impacted the histories of Europe, Italy, and Christianity, creating lasting ripple effects throughout European culture and politics.
Before the Sack, Pope Clement VII opposed the ambitions of Emperor Charles V and the Spanish, who he believed wished to dominate Italy and the Church. Aft…
In popular culture
Swedish power metal band Sabaton wrote a song commemorating the last stand of the Swiss Guard, entitled "The Last Stand" from the album of the same name.
External links
• Pope's guards celebrate 500 years, BBC News Online; dated and retrieved 22 January 2006
• Vatican's honour to Swiss Guards, BBC News Online; dated and retrieved 6 May 2006