Gui Foulques (1190 - 1268)

Born 23 Nov 1190 in Saint-Gilles-du-Gard, Languedoc, France

Died 29 Nov 1268 at age 78 in Viterbo, Papal States

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Biography

Pope Clement IV Foulques is Notable.

Gui was born in Saint-Gilles-du-Gard, Southern France about 23 November 1190. His parents were Pierre Foucois, a lawyer, and Marguerite Ruffi.^[1][2][3]

He became a soldier when he was 19 years old and fought the Moors in Spain before studying law. As an advocate in Paris he was secretary to King Louis IX.^[2][3]

He married the daughter of Simon de Malabois and had two daughters. Like his own father he entered the church on the death of his wife in 1257.^[2][3]

He was appointed Bishop of Le Puy in 1257, then Archbishop of Narbonne in 1259. In December 1261 he was elevated to Cardinal and became Papal Legate to England between 1262 and 1264.^[2][3]

He was in France when elected Pope, taking the name Clement IV on 5 February 1265.^[2] He had to enter Italy disguised due to the conflict between Rome and Manfred, King of Sicily and the controlling anti-papal Ghibellline party were firmly in control in Rome. Therefore he established his papacy at Viterbo.^[2]

In February 1265 he summoned Thomas Aquinas to serve as papal theologian in Rome.^[2]

He died on 29 November 1268 aged 78 at Viterbo leaving the papacy vacant for nearly three years. He was buried at the Dominican convent, Santa Maria in Gradi, just outside Viterbo. In 1885 his remains were transferred to the church, San Francesco alla Rocca, in Viterbo.^[2][3]

Research Notes

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Note

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Sources

1. ↑ Vatican
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7} Wikipedia
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4} Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, Biographical Dictionary