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Name:
Pope Martin IV
Born: Simon de Brion
Preceded by: Nicholas III (1277 - 1280)
Succeeded by: Honorius IV (1285 - 1287)
Roman Catholic Pope #190
Dates:
Born: c. 1210 (Touraine, France)
Died: March 28, 1285
Pope: February 22, 1281 - March 28, 1285 (4 years)
Sicily Revolted against France: March 30, 1282
Biography:
Pope Martin IV owed his election to Charles of Anjou and, partially as a result of that,
Martin was unabashedly pro-French in his policies and in his appointements. Perhaps because
of his political connections the people of Rome refused to receive him; Martin had to be
consecrated Orvieto and he spent most of his time as pope in that city. When Sicily
successfully revolted against French rule the rebels wrote to Martin asking for his
support. Martin not only refused, he offered Charles every possible assistance to recover
control over the island.
Under the influence of Charles he also excommunicated the Byzantine emperor Michael VIII Palaeologus in 1281, nullifying a union between the Eastern and Western churches which had been in place in the Second Council of Lyons since 1274. This was unfortunate because Michael had gone to great efforts to preserve the union and compromise with Rome's demands.
Technically Martin was only the second pope with that name. In the official lists popes Marinus I and II were incorrectly listed as popes Martin II and III.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
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