The papal election from September 22, 1280 to February 22, 1281 elected Simon de Brion, who took the name Pope Martin IV

Pope Martin IV

Pope Martin IV, born Simon de Brion held the papacy from February 21, 1281 until his death....

, as the successor to Pope Nicholas III

Pope Nicholas III

Pope Nicholas III , born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, Pope from November 25, 1277 to his death in 1280, was a Roman nobleman who had served under eight Popes, been made cardinal-deacon of St...

.

The protracted election is unique due to the violent removal of two cardinals—Matteo Orsini

Matteo Orsini

Matteo Orsini was an Italian Dominican and Cardinal.He entered the Dominican Order, completed the full course of theology, obtained the Degree of Master, and taught theology at Paris, Florence, and Rome...

 and Giordano Orsini

Giordano Orsini

Giordano Orsini was an Italian cardinal who enjoyed an extensive career in the early fifteenth century. He was a member of the powerful Roman family of the Orsini.-Biography:...

—by the magistrates of Viterbo on the charges that they were "impeding" the election. Only a decade earlier, the magistrates of Viterbo had intervened in the papal election, 1268–1271

Papal election, 1268–1271

The papal election from November 1268 to September 1, 1271, following the death of Pope Clement IV, was the longest papal election in the history of the Catholic Church. This was due primarily to political infighting between the cardinals...

 by removing the roof tiles of the Palazzo dei Papi di Viterbo

Palazzo dei Papi di Viterbo

330px|right|thumb|The Papal Palace of Viterbo - In the background the bell-tower of the CathedralPalazzo dei Papi is a palace in Viterbo, northern Latium, Italy. It is one of the most important monuments in the city, situated alongside the Duomo di Viterbo...

 to speed up another deadlocked contest. The expulsion of the Orsini and the subsequent election of Simon was due to the influence of Charles I of Naples ("Charles of Anjou"), who was present at Viterbo for the election.

Context

The previous meeting of the cardinals, the papal election, 1277

Papal election, 1277

The papal election from May 30, 1277 to November 25, 1277, convened in Viterbo after the death of Pope John XXI, was the smallest papal election since the expansion of suffrage to cardinal-priests and cardinal-deacons, with only seven cardinal electors...

, had dragged on for six months as the six cardinal electors (the fewest in the history of the Roman Catholic Church

History of the Roman Catholic Church

As the oldest branch of Christianity, along with Eastern Orthodoxy, the history of the Catholic Church plays an integral part of the History of Christianity as a whole. This article covers a period of just under 2,000 years....

), were evenly divided between the Roman and Angevin factions. The aged Giovanni Gaetano Orsini was elected Pope Nicholas III

Pope Nicholas III

Pope Nicholas III , born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, Pope from November 25, 1277 to his death in 1280, was a Roman nobleman who had served under eight Popes, been made cardinal-deacon of St...

, to the dissatisfaction of Charles I of Naples, whom the three French cardinals supported.

Previously, Pope Clement IV

Pope Clement IV

Pope Clement IV , born Gui Faucoi called in later life le Gros , was elected Pope February 5, 1265, in a conclave held at Perugia that took four months, while cardinals argued over whether to call in Charles of Anjou, the youngest brother of Louis IX of France...

 had crowned Charles I the King of Naples and Sicily (previously a papal fief), but had failed to sufficiently stack the College of Cardinals

College of Cardinals

The College of Cardinals is the body of all cardinals of the Catholic Church.A function of the college is to advise the pope about church matters when he summons them to an ordinary consistory. It also convenes on the death or abdication of a pope as a papal conclave to elect a successor...

 with like-minded cardinals. Following Clement's death, the papal election, 1268–1271

Papal election, 1268–1271

The papal election from November 1268 to September 1, 1271, following the death of Pope Clement IV, was the longest papal election in the history of the Catholic Church. This was due primarily to political infighting between the cardinals...

, was the longest in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, eventually electing outsider Tebaldo Visconti as Pope Gregory X

Pope Gregory X

Pope Blessed Gregory X , born Tebaldo Visconti, was Pope from 1271 to 1276. He was elected by the papal election, 1268–1271, the longest papal election in the history of the Roman Catholic Church....

, who concerned his papacy with little more than the advocacy of the Crusades

Crusades

The Crusades were a series of religious wars, blessed by the Pope and the Catholic Church with the main goal of restoring Christian access to the holy places in and near Jerusalem...

 (having been elected while not a cardinal on the Crusades). Although Gregory X had issued a papal bull Ubi Periculum

Ubi periculum

Ubi periculum was a document promulgated by Pope Gregory X during the Second Council of Lyon in 1274 that established the papal conclave as the method of selection for a pope...

(1274), mandating the stricture of the papal conclave

Papal conclave

A papal conclave is a meeting of the College of Cardinals convened to elect a Bishop of Rome, who then becomes the Pope during a period of vacancy in the papal office. The Pope is considered by Roman Catholics to be the apostolic successor of Saint Peter and earthly head of the Roman Catholic Church...

 to accelerate disputed papal elections, the bull was not in force at the time of this election, having been revoked by Pope John XXI

Pope John XXI

Pope John XXI, , born Pedro Julião Pope John XXI, , born Pedro Julião Pope John XXI, , born Pedro Julião (Latin, Petrus Iulianus (c. 1215 – May 20, 1277), a Portuguese also called Pedro Hispano (Latin, Petrus Hispanus; English, Peter of Spain), was Pope from 1276 until his death about eight...

.

Cardinal elections

Elector	Nationality	Cardinalatial order and title	Elevated	Elevator	Other ecclesiastical titles	Notes
Ordonho Alvares Ordonho Alvares Ordonho Alvares was a Spanish Cardinal of the Papal Curia.He was secular abbot of Husillos in 1274 and later becamearchbishop of Braga . As Cardinal he was bishop of Frascati and Dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals....	Portuguese	Cardinal-bishop of Frascati	1278, March 12	Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III , born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, Pope from November 25, 1277 to his death in 1280, was a Roman nobleman who had served under eight Popes, been made cardinal-deacon of St...	Dean of the College of Cardinals Dean of the College of Cardinals The Dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals is the president of the College of Cardinals in the Roman Catholic Church, and as such always holds the rank of Cardinal Bishop. The Dean is not necessarily the longest-serving member of the whole College...
Latino Malabranca Orsini Latino Malabranca Orsini Latino Malabranca Orsini was an Italian Cardinal-nephew of Pope Nicholas III.He was son of Roman senator Angelo Malabranca and Mabilia Orsini, sister of Pope Nicholas III. He entered the Order of Preachers in his youth and studied law at University of Paris. He obtained the titles of doctor in law... , O.P.	Rome	Cardinal-bishop of Ostia e Velletri	1278, March 12	Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III , born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, Pope from November 25, 1277 to his death in 1280, was a Roman nobleman who had served under eight Popes, been made cardinal-deacon of St...	Inquisitor General	Cardinal-nephew Cardinal-nephew A cardinal-nephew is a cardinal elevated by a Pope who is that cardinal's uncle, or, more generally, his relative. The practice of creating cardinal-nephews originated in the Middle Ages, and reached its apex during the 16th and 17th centuries. The word nepotism originally referred specifically to...
Bentivenga da Bentivengi Bentivenga da Bentivengi Bentivenga da Bentivengi was an Italian Franciscan and cardinal.He was born in Aquasparta and entered the Order of Franciscans in young age. He became famous as preacher. In 1276 he was elected bishop of Todi. Pope Nicholas III in the consistory of March 12, 1278 created him Cardinal-Bishop of... , O.F.M.	Acquasparta	Cardinal-bishop of Albano	1278, March 12	Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III , born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, Pope from November 25, 1277 to his death in 1280, was a Roman nobleman who had served under eight Popes, been made cardinal-deacon of St...	Grand penitentiary
Anchero Pantaléone Anchero Pantaleone Anchero Pantaleone was a French cardinal and cardinal-nephew of Pope Urban IV, his uncle who elevated him on May 22, 1262. He was cardinal protopriest from 1277 and died on November 1, 1286.-References:...	French	Cardinal-priest of S. Prassede	1262, May 22	Urban IV Pope Urban IV Pope Urban IV , born Jacques Pantaléon, was Pope, from 1261 to 1264. He was not a cardinal, and there have been several Popes since him who have not been Cardinals, including Urban V and Urban VI.-Biography:...	Protopriest Protopriest Protopriest — in the College of Cardinals, is the first Cardinal-Priest in the order of precedence. This title is always attached to the most senior Cardinal Priest according to date of his creation. From the 17th century until the end of 19th century Protopriest usually opted for the titulus San...	Cardinal-nephew Cardinal-nephew A cardinal-nephew is a cardinal elevated by a Pope who is that cardinal's uncle, or, more generally, his relative. The practice of creating cardinal-nephews originated in the Middle Ages, and reached its apex during the 16th and 17th centuries. The word nepotism originally referred specifically to...
Simon de Brion Pope Martin IV Pope Martin IV, born Simon de Brion held the papacy from February 21, 1281 until his death....	French	Cardinal-priest of S. Cecilia	1261, December 17	Urban IV Pope Urban IV Pope Urban IV , born Jacques Pantaléon, was Pope, from 1261 to 1264. He was not a cardinal, and there have been several Popes since him who have not been Cardinals, including Urban V and Urban VI.-Biography:...		Elected Pope Martin IV Pope Martin IV Pope Martin IV, born Simon de Brion held the papacy from February 21, 1281 until his death....
Guillaume de Bray	French	Cardinal-priest of S. Marco	1262, May 22	Urban IV Pope Urban IV Pope Urban IV , born Jacques Pantaléon, was Pope, from 1261 to 1264. He was not a cardinal, and there have been several Popes since him who have not been Cardinals, including Urban V and Urban VI.-Biography:...
Gerardo Bianchi Gerardo Bianchi Gerardo Bianchi – was an Italian churchman.He studied law at the University of Bologna and became canon of the cathedral chapter of Parma. Pope Nicholas III in the consistory of March 12, 1278 named him Cardinal Priest of SS. XII Apostoli...	Parma	Cardinal-priest of Ss. XII Apostoli	1278, March 12	Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III , born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, Pope from November 25, 1277 to his death in 1280, was a Roman nobleman who had served under eight Popes, been made cardinal-deacon of St...
Girolamo Masci Pope Nicholas IV Pope Nicholas IV , born Girolamo Masci, was Pope from February 22, 1288 to April 4, 1292. A Franciscan friar, he had been legate to the Greeks under Pope Gregory X in 1272, succeeded Bonaventure as Minister General of his religious order in 1274, was made Cardinal Priest of Santa Prassede and... , O.F.M.	Lisciano	Cardinal-priest of S. Pudenziana	1278, March 12	Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III , born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, Pope from November 25, 1277 to his death in 1280, was a Roman nobleman who had served under eight Popes, been made cardinal-deacon of St...		Future Pope Nicholas IV Pope Nicholas IV Pope Nicholas IV , born Girolamo Masci, was Pope from February 22, 1288 to April 4, 1292. A Franciscan friar, he had been legate to the Greeks under Pope Gregory X in 1272, succeeded Bonaventure as Minister General of his religious order in 1274, was made Cardinal Priest of Santa Prassede and...
Giacomo Savelli Pope Honorius IV Pope Honorius IV , born Giacomo Savelli, was Pope for two years from 1285 to 1287. During his unremarkable pontificate he largely continued to pursue the pro-French policy of his predecessor, Pope Martin IV...	Rome	Cardinal-deacon of S. Maria in Cosmedin	1261, December 17	Urban IV Pope Urban IV Pope Urban IV , born Jacques Pantaléon, was Pope, from 1261 to 1264. He was not a cardinal, and there have been several Popes since him who have not been Cardinals, including Urban V and Urban VI.-Biography:...	Protodeacon Protodeacon Protodeacon derives from the Greek proto- meaning 'first' and diakonos, which is a standard ancient Greek word meaning "servant", "waiting-man," "minister" or "messenger." The word in English may refer to various clergymen, depending upon the usage of the particular church in question.-Eastern...	Future Pope Honorius IV Pope Honorius IV Pope Honorius IV , born Giacomo Savelli, was Pope for two years from 1285 to 1287. During his unremarkable pontificate he largely continued to pursue the pro-French policy of his predecessor, Pope Martin IV...
Goffredo da Alatri	Alatri	Cardinal-deacon of S. Giorgio in Velabro	1261, December 17	Urban IV Pope Urban IV Pope Urban IV , born Jacques Pantaléon, was Pope, from 1261 to 1264. He was not a cardinal, and there have been several Popes since him who have not been Cardinals, including Urban V and Urban VI.-Biography:...
Matteo Orsini Matteo Orsini Matteo Orsini was an Italian Dominican and Cardinal.He entered the Dominican Order, completed the full course of theology, obtained the Degree of Master, and taught theology at Paris, Florence, and Rome...	Rome	Cardinal-deacon of S. Maria in Portico	1262, May 22	Urban IV Pope Urban IV Pope Urban IV , born Jacques Pantaléon, was Pope, from 1261 to 1264. He was not a cardinal, and there have been several Popes since him who have not been Cardinals, including Urban V and Urban VI.-Biography:...	Archpriest of the Vatican Basilica	Removed by the magistrates of Viterbo
Giordano Orsini	Rome	Cardinal-deacon of S. Eustachio	1278, March 12	Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III , born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, Pope from November 25, 1277 to his death in 1280, was a Roman nobleman who had served under eight Popes, been made cardinal-deacon of St...		Removed by the magistrates of Viterbo; Cardinal-nephew Cardinal-nephew A cardinal-nephew is a cardinal elevated by a Pope who is that cardinal's uncle, or, more generally, his relative. The practice of creating cardinal-nephews originated in the Middle Ages, and reached its apex during the 16th and 17th centuries. The word nepotism originally referred specifically to...
Giacomo Colonna	Rome	Cardinal-deacon of S. Maria in Via Lata	1278, March 12	Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III , born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, Pope from November 25, 1277 to his death in 1280, was a Roman nobleman who had served under eight Popes, been made cardinal-deacon of St...	Archpriest of the Liberian Basilica

Absentee cardinal

Elector	Nationality	Cardinalatial order and title	Elevated	Elevator	Other ecclesiastical titles	Notes
Bernard Ayglerius Bernard Ayglerius Bernard Ayglerius was a French theologian, papal legate, and cardinal. He is sometimes known as Bernardus Cassinensis.... , O.S.B.	French	Unknown	1265 or 1268	Clement IV Pope Clement IV Pope Clement IV , born Gui Faucoi called in later life le Gros , was elected Pope February 5, 1265, in a conclave held at Perugia that took four months, while cardinals argued over whether to call in Charles of Anjou, the youngest brother of Louis IX of France...	Abbot of Montecassino	De facto retired; several sources doubt that he was ever promoted to the cardinalate

Proceedings

From the start of the conclave, the anti-Angevin faction—mostly created cardinals by Nicholas III, who controlled many key positions in the College and includied three Orsini cardinals, had consolidated themselves as an unbreakable voting block.

The breakthrough in the deadlock came when Charles I replaced Orso Orsini, the podestà

Podestà

Podestà is the name given to certain high officials in many Italian cities, since the later Middle Ages, mainly as Chief magistrate of a city state , but also as a local administrator, the representative of the Emperor.The term derives from the Latin word potestas, meaning power...

of Viterbo, with Riccardello Annibaldi, who proceeded to burst into the election and arrest and remove the Orsini cardinals, allowing the pro-Angevin faction and the Aldobrandeschi partisans

Aldobrandeschi family

The Aldobrandeschi were an Italian noble family from southern Tuscany.Of probable Lombard origin, they appear in history as the counts of Santa Fiora in the late 8th/early 9th centuries, although a Ghidelmo Aldobrandeschi is mentioned as lord of Roselle as early as 729...

 to push through the election of Simon de Brion, the favored candidate of Charles, as Pope Martin IV

Pope Martin IV

Pope Martin IV, born Simon de Brion held the papacy from February 21, 1281 until his death....

. Giordano, the leader of the anti-French faction, and his nephew Matteo, were imprisoned, actions that ensured that the new French pope would find no welcome in returning to Rome.

Aftermath

The imprisonment of the cardinals caused an interdict to be placed on the city of Viterbo; as a result of the interdict, and of the hostility of the city of Rome to a French pontiff, Martin IV moved to Orvieto

Orvieto

Orvieto is a city and comune in Province of Terni, southwestern Umbria, Italy situated on the flat summit of a large butte of volcanic tuff...

, where he was crowned on March 23. Among the first acts of Martin IV were to remove from prominent positions the Orsini cardinal-nephew

Cardinal-nephew

A cardinal-nephew is a cardinal elevated by a Pope who is that cardinal's uncle, or, more generally, his relative. The practice of creating cardinal-nephews originated in the Middle Ages, and reached its apex during the 16th and 17th centuries. The word nepotism originally referred specifically to...

s of his predecessor, Nicholas III, and to replace them with French and pro-French candidates.

Martin IV remained dependent on Charles throughout his papacy; soon after his coronation, on 29 April he named Charles a Roman Senator and assisted in his attempts to restore the Latin Empire

Latin Empire

The Latin Empire or Latin Empire of Constantinople is the name given by historians to the feudal Crusader state founded by the leaders of the Fourth Crusade on lands captured from the Byzantine Empire. It was established after the capture of Constantinople in 1204 and lasted until 1261...

, including through the excommunication

Excommunication

Excommunication is a religious censure used to deprive, suspend or limit membership in a religious community. The word means putting [someone] out of communion. In some religions, excommunication includes spiritual condemnation of the member or group...

 of Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos

Michael VIII Palaiologos

Michael VIII Palaiologos or Palaeologus reigned as Byzantine Emperor 1259–1282. Michael VIII was the founder of the Palaiologan dynasty that would rule the Byzantine Empire until the Fall of Constantinople in 1453...

. The latter act resulted in the undoing of the fragile union of East and West brokered at the Council of Lyons in 1274. Martin IV's support of Charles continued after the Sicilian Vespers

Sicilian Vespers

The Sicilian Vespers is the name given to the successful rebellion on the island of Sicily that broke out on the Easter of 1282 against the rule of the French/Angevin king Charles I, who had ruled the Kingdom of Sicily since 1266. Within six weeks three thousand French men and women were slain by...

, when Martin IV excommunicated Peter III of Aragon

Peter III of Aragon

Peter the Great was the King of Aragon of Valencia , and Count of Barcelona from 1276 to his death. He conquered Sicily and became its king in 1282. He was one of the greatest of medieval Aragonese monarchs.-Youth and succession:Peter was the eldest son of James I of Aragon and his second wife...

, recently elected by the Sicilians as king, and further declared null his kingship in Aragon and ordered a crusade against him, which resulted in the ensuing War of the Sicilian Vespers

War of the Sicilian Vespers

The War of the ' Vespers started with the insurrection of the Sicilian Vespers against Charles of Anjou in 1282 and finally ended with the peace of Caltabellotta in 1302...

.

The first seven cardinals appointed by Martin IV were French, but the fact that Martin IV's death coincided with that of Charles I inevitably began to weaken the French influence.

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