This article aims to survey how and when the hierarchic dualism,
the hierocracy or theocracy, typical models in Western Medieval Political
thought, were weakened in the historical actualities, focusing on the
case of the first half of the 14th Century France. Although the papacy
already lost his authority after ‘Outrage of Anagni’ in 1303 and his
settlement at Avignon, a series of political crises of French kingdom
begun in 1315 permitted John XXII, pope of Avignon to restore the
papacy in conformity with the pastoral idea. He could establish an
elaborate administration and finance system on this basis. Meanwhile,
at the time of oubreak of the Hundred Years’ War, the pope lost
definitely the status as universal and spiritual leader of Western Europe.
In this context, it is necessary to focus on the Conference of Vincennes
in 1333 as a definite moment for loss of papacy in Western Europe.
Philip VI of Valois, who have ascended to the throne as a collateral
line of Capetian dynasty, prepared extensively the crusade expedition
as a way of legitimation of his kingship. And John XXII assisted him
both materially and morally as spiritual leader on the level of
dispensation. On the other hand, John XXII proposed his own specific theory on the Beatific Vision and Philip VI organized a conference in
order to investigate this theme with various theologians of University
of Paris at his manor of Vincennes in 1333. Of course, this conference
was profoundly theological, but it involved also a declaration of
independence of French kingship from the papacy. Finally, the thesis
of pope John XXII was judged heretic and John XXII died of shock
soon.
After the conference, three phenomena appeared: 1) formation of
Thomist doctrin around the University of Paris; 2) establishment between
the French kingship and the university of Paris; 3) unexpected outbreak
of the Hundred Years’ War after failure of crusade project with the
death of John XXII and the accession of Benedict XII. The conference
at Vincennes cannot be an immediate cause of these three phenomena,
but a turning point marking a decline of Papal universalism and its
replacement for new orders in various areas.