CH. X.]

PAPAL ELECTORS.

311

nues.1 Germany vainly demanded reform now; a century later she would demand it in more emphatic tones. The very point on which nearly all the nations had insisted most strenuously, and in regard to which there seemed most hope of success, that of annates the first year's income when a benefice was vacant, and which was claimed for its support by the court of Rome-was the one about which great difficulties were now raised. The emperor and others would have the officers of the court of Rome provided with a fixed annual salary. Doubtful of so uncertain a provision, the cardinals could not relinquish the annates, and the whole question must of necessity be left to the future pope.

2

Who he would be, was now the question of most engrossing interest. On the thirtieth of October, the council decreed to proceed to his election. The cardinals had at first somewhat humbly dared to put forward their claims to the right of sole electors as their prerogative. Some of their opponents, in view of the manner in which they had previously exercised it, would have excluded them altogether from the conclave. A compromise was at length effected, by which six prelates or persons of distinction from each of the five nations should be joined to the college of cardinals, in order to form the body of the electors. The number of these, including the twenty-three cardinals, was therefore fifty-three. For each of these a chamber was provided in the Merchants' Exchange, where the sessions of the conclave were to be held. Every precaution was taken to

1 L'Enfant, 521.

Van der Hardt, iv. 1449.

prevent any communication between them and others outside the building. Persons of high state and authority were to guard all the passages, and all were warned by sound of trumpet not to approach within a certain distance of the place where the conclave was in session. Even the food of the electors and their servants-for each was allowed two-was to some extent prescribed, and was passed into the building, not by the door, but by a window, in order that none might have a pretext or opportunity to enter. Even after the food had been passed in, it was to be examined before it was sent to the electors, lest some letter or line should be enclosed in it by which some communication or information should be conveyed to them.

The electors entered the conclave Nov. 2, 1417.1 For some time there seemed no prospect of their effecting a choice, as two-thirds of the votes must be given to the successful candidate. Each nation would undoubtedly have been glad to have had for pope one of its own countrymen. But the Germans were the first to yield their preference. The Archbishop of Riga, who seems by this time to have acquired the art of seizing upon and improving occasions that could favor his own interests, led the way. At length the other nations so far consented to yield their claims, that the necessary vote was cast for Otho de Colonna, an Italian cardinal. He had been one of the cardinals of John XXIII., and had borne a reputation as free from stain as it was perhaps possible for a member of a college with such a head.

1 L'Enfant, 529.

CH. X.]

ELECTION OF MARTIN V.

313

He was undoubtedly less able than many of the others. The cardinals of Cambray and St. Mark were by far his superiors, but they had made themselves offensively conspicuous; and, their compeer, Zabarella of Florence, had gone out a few days before from one of the assemblies-exhausted by the effort of a speech which he truly said at the time might be called his dying testimony-never to re turn. He died on the twenty-sixth of September, the most dangerous competitor-had he survivedfor the pontifical dignity.1

Otho de Colonna took the title of Martin V. Different estimates were formed of his character.2 But whatever he might have been before his elec tion, he was, after it, but a wheel in the ecclesiastical machine, and was governed by laws that would have overruled his own will had he not chosen to submit. The news of his election spread at once through the city. Through a breach made in the walls of the building where the conclave was assembled, the fact had been first announced, and was received with loud acclamations. The people, gathered by thou sands, could not restrain their enthusiasm as they shouted the name of the new pope. The emperor, regardless, as some say, of his dignity, hasted to prostrate himself before him, kissing his feet, and thanking the electors for the excellent choice they had made. The pope replied with a fraternal embrace, and with thanks to the emperor for his zeal for the peace of the church.

The enthroning of the newly elected pope pre- '

sented a scene of imposing splendor. The emperor, princes and nobility, the clergy of all ranks, beside men of every civil office and station, formed the escort which accompanied him from the conclave to the cathedral. His ordination as deacon took place November 12th, his consecration and coronation as pope, Nov. 21st.1 These were marked by scenes of scarcely less splendor and magnificence. As the procession on this last occasion moved through the streets of the city, it was met by the Jews, who assured the new pope of their obedience, and besought of him a confirmation of their privileges, while presenting him at the same time a copy of the Old Testament. The pope paused a moment, received the volume-according to some-but handed it back with the remark, "You have the law, but do not understand it. Behold, old things have passed away, all has become new."

According to another account, the pope refused to receive the volume. Sigismund took it for a moment, however, remarking as he handed it back, "The laws of Moses are just and good-let no one reject them; but as to you, you keep none of them as you ought." Upon this the pope, turning toward them, said, "May Almighty God take away the veil from your eyes, and grant that you may behold the light of eternal life;" then adding the apostolic benediction.

The power and intrigue of the cardinals had thus secured their triumph. With a pope to head them, they could do more than they had done already

1 L'Enfant, 547.

CH. X.]

REFORM POSTPONED.

they could safely defy the emperor.

315

Each party

now strove to gain the favor and patronage of the pope. The imperial power occupied but a secondary place. All measures of reform must be such as to be acceptable to the court of Rome. It was as much as a defeat already, of projects for which the best men of the age had toiled, and written, and plead. The work of reformation was in reality postponed. The heart of the emperor was sickened within him. The French urged him to promote their measures of reform. His reply was bitter: "You would have a pope first. You have one now. Go to him. It is his business, not mine."