This paper will summarize the article “The Renaissance Popes Provoke the Protestant Secession” from The March of Folly by Barbara Tuchman. Her article tells of the extravagance and negligence of the Papacy under Leo X which brought about the splintering of Christendom.
Tuchman begins her article describing the opening ceremonies of the new Medici Pope, in which had been spent “one-seventh of the reserve Julius had left in the treasury” . During just the parade, Leo demonstrated “Medici munificence” by throwing gold coins to the masses. This early display of extravagance was multiplied several times over as the reign of Leo X drew on. He made plans for the renovations of St. Peter’s in excess of “over a million ducats” and requisitioned …show more content…
He built a 120 mile roadway merely for the most exquisite marble in Italy to be brought in from Tuscany for the construction of a family chapel in Rome. It is at this point that the Pope found his treasury empty and was forced to halt construction. One would think that this would curtail his desire for extravagance, however it was still on the rise. His closest followers continued to be showered in special privilege and coin, some, such as Raphael, were even offered a Cardinalship without being member of the clergy. Tuchman describes Leo as “careless in office hut conscientious in religious affairs” as he celebrated Mass on a daily basis yet neglected most of the administrative and more complex spiritual affairs. He is also documented as being a lover of the arts, gambling and exquisite foods brought in from all corners of the world. Awesome spectacles also occurred frequently throughout his time in power “in a strange mixture of paganism and Christianity” from ancient mythology to the Passion. Though his passion for the arts and the extravagant brought about more loyalty and prestige from amongst his closest followers, but his decadence proved to be his only forte; through his political ineptitude he would further prove to be the undoing of a unified …show more content…
This series of events derived from Leo’s apparent discovery of a plan to assassinate him led by a young Cardinal Alfonso Petrucci from Siena. Following a series of arrests, torture and interrogations the names of the conspirators were revealed. Petrucci and other plotters were enticed to Rome and hasty, predetermined sentences were given out. Though some were strangled, the others were extorted for thousands upon thousands of ducats. This hasty coercion of funds produced the impression that the Pope had fabricated the plot in an effort to procure more funds. The conspiracy built upon the discredit accumulated following the earlier bankruptcy and created dissent amongst the now scrutinized Cardinals. In further attempts to stave off bankruptcy Leo also amassed hundreds of thousands of ducats in new appointments. Further executions, betrayals and torture revealed the extent to which Leo would go to consolidate his power. He “ignored the indignation his methods caused and made no attempt to curtail his extravagance which laid the foundation for the widespread dissent that would
Tuchman begins her article describing the opening ceremonies of the new Medici Pope, in which had been spent “one-seventh of the reserve Julius had left in the treasury” . During just the parade, Leo demonstrated “Medici munificence” by throwing gold coins to the masses. This early display of extravagance was multiplied several times over as the reign of Leo X drew on. He made plans for the renovations of St. Peter’s in excess of “over a million ducats” and requisitioned …show more content…
He built a 120 mile roadway merely for the most exquisite marble in Italy to be brought in from Tuscany for the construction of a family chapel in Rome. It is at this point that the Pope found his treasury empty and was forced to halt construction. One would think that this would curtail his desire for extravagance, however it was still on the rise. His closest followers continued to be showered in special privilege and coin, some, such as Raphael, were even offered a Cardinalship without being member of the clergy. Tuchman describes Leo as “careless in office hut conscientious in religious affairs” as he celebrated Mass on a daily basis yet neglected most of the administrative and more complex spiritual affairs. He is also documented as being a lover of the arts, gambling and exquisite foods brought in from all corners of the world. Awesome spectacles also occurred frequently throughout his time in power “in a strange mixture of paganism and Christianity” from ancient mythology to the Passion. Though his passion for the arts and the extravagant brought about more loyalty and prestige from amongst his closest followers, but his decadence proved to be his only forte; through his political ineptitude he would further prove to be the undoing of a unified …show more content…
This series of events derived from Leo’s apparent discovery of a plan to assassinate him led by a young Cardinal Alfonso Petrucci from Siena. Following a series of arrests, torture and interrogations the names of the conspirators were revealed. Petrucci and other plotters were enticed to Rome and hasty, predetermined sentences were given out. Though some were strangled, the others were extorted for thousands upon thousands of ducats. This hasty coercion of funds produced the impression that the Pope had fabricated the plot in an effort to procure more funds. The conspiracy built upon the discredit accumulated following the earlier bankruptcy and created dissent amongst the now scrutinized Cardinals. In further attempts to stave off bankruptcy Leo also amassed hundreds of thousands of ducats in new appointments. Further executions, betrayals and torture revealed the extent to which Leo would go to consolidate his power. He “ignored the indignation his methods caused and made no attempt to curtail his extravagance which laid the foundation for the widespread dissent that would