THE DECLINE OF THE PAPACY 23!
he was a victim of poison administered by the creatures of
Philip the Fair.
Whether or not Philip was responsible for Benedict's death,
the vacancy in the Holy See at this time suited the king's
plans excellently. He had fought bitterly against Boniface,
had been on the verge of a struggle with Benedict, and was
determined that the next pope should not interfere with his
plans. The cardinals in the conclave were, as usual, divided
into the one led by the Colonna, favourable to France, and
one led by the Orsini, favourable to the policy pursued by
Boniface. After discussions lasting nearly a year it was
decided to make the choice outside the ranks of the cardinalate,
and one of the candidates put forward was Bernard de Goth,
Archbishop of Bordeaux. He had been a staunch supporter
of Boniface and had played an important part against Philip.
Such a man was therefore acceptable to those members of the
Conclave antagonistic to France, but he could be elected only
by the support of the cardinals controlled by Philip and no
one believed that the French king would support a nominee
who had been so prominent a figure on the side of the papacy.
Philip, however, knew Bernard de Goth, knew that the
archbishop craved power and wealth and honours. Medieval
chroniclers tell of a secret meeting between Bernard and
Philip the Fair in a ruined abbey and describe how Philip
tempted Bernard with the promise of the papal chair. " I
will make you Pope ", the king is alleged to have said, " if
you promise to abide by six conditions." Bernard could not
resist the tremendous prize and swore to fulfil the king's
commands. But once Bernard was raised to the Holy See
he could absolve himself from an oath, and Philip was not
satisfied until Bernard had sworn on the Host and had given
his brothers and two of his nephews into the king's keeping
as hostages. Actually, however, Philip and Bernard did not
meet until after the election, and the king left the arrange-
ments to his emissaries. Bernard undertook faithfully to