Roman Curia of the Universal Church

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- = The States of the Church = -

Welcome to Rome

Curia of the Patrimony of St Peter​

The ecclesiastical ruler of the Catholic Church, and secular ruler of the Papal States, is:

His Holiness, Urbanus Sextus, Dominus Apostolicus, Pontifex Maxiumus:

Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Patriarch of the West, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Sovereign of the States of the Church, Servant of the Servants of God.

 

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- = Dramatis Personae = -​

Bartolemeow Prignano aka Pope Urban VI
blah blah blah

Alberigo da Barbiano
Count of Cunio in Romagna. Leader of the famous "Company of St George," composed entirely of Italian soldiers, hired by Urban to maintain the Holy See.

blah blah etc

- = College of Cardinals = -​

I. Pietro Pileo di Prata, archbishop of Ravenna.
II. Francesco Moricotti Prignani, archbishop of Pisa.
III. Luca Rodolfucci de Gentili, bishop of Nocera Umbra.
IV. Andrea Bontempi Martini, bishop of Perugia.
V. Bonaventura Badoaro de Peraga, O.Er.S.A.
VI. Niccolò Caracciolo Moschino, O.P.
VII. Filippo Carafa della Serra, archdeacon of Bologna.
VIII. Galeotto Tarlati de Petramala.
IX. Giovanni de Amelia, archbishop of Corfu.
X. Filippo Ruffini, O.P., bishop of Tivoli.
XI. Poncello Orsini, bishop of Aversa.
XII. Bartolomeo Mezzavacca, bishop of Rieti.
XIII. Gentile de Sangro.
XIV. Philippe d'Alençon, patriarch of Jerusalem.
XV. Demeter, archbishop of Esztergom, Hungary.
XVI. Giovanni Fieschi, bishop of Vercelli.
XVII. Adam Easton, O.S.B.
XVIII. Ludovico Donato, O.Min.
XIX. Bartolomeo de Coturno, O.Min.
XX. Francesco Renzio.
XXI. Landolfo Maramaldo, archbishop elect of Bari.
XXII. Pietro Tomacelli, protonotary apostolic.
XXIII. Marino Giudice, archbishop of Tarento.
XXIV. Tommaso Orsini di Manupello.
XXV. Gugilemo d'Altavilla, archbishop of Salerno.

 

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- = The Papal States = -​

 

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- = International Relations = -​

Excommunicants

Clement, King Charles, etc.

 

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- = ROMAN CURIA = -

"Open", regardless of the empty court o​

 

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<plus one for good measure>

 

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A letter arrives from the Island of Menorca, in the Balearics. It is carried by a man in the finest Italian robes, Marco Palegho, introduced as the senechal of Majorca.

From His Most Sovereign and Royal Grace, Theodore, by the Grace of God True and Legal Heir of the Kingdom of Mallorca and Thessalonica, Margrave of Montferrat, Imperial Vicar of All Italy,

TO

His Holiness, Urbanus Sextus, Dominus Apostolicus, Pontifex Maxiumus;

Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Patriarch of the West, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Sovereign of the States of the Church, Servant of the Servants of God.​

Your Holiness:

I bring grave and disasterous news to you, but, at the same time, news that may yet allow you the advantage against the schismatic in Avignon. The so-called "Pope", with his faithful and possibly heretical lackey in Castile, have seized the Balearic islands from I, it's rightful owner, the King of Mallorca. Your Holiness, although the Catalan garrison on the island has surrendered, only the main island of Majorca is in their hands. I, along with one thousand men at arms, am ruling from the island of Menorca.

I ask, no, beg of you this, your Holiness: that you allow the Bishop of Montferrat, who has accompanied my army to Menorca, to recognize and crown me as the King of Mallorca. I believe that this would rally the population, even on the lands occupied by the false Pope and the Spanish. In addition, even though I cannot dislodge those who have seized portions of my Kingdom myself, their position is weak. They are led by a mere boy, with no military experience, and some mercenary rabble. With reinforcements from Italy, I would be able to push these traitors from all Mallorca, and return it to the fold of the True Catholic and Roman Church.

This letter, should it reach Rome safely, will be carried by the senechal of Majorca; he is also carrying a letter with my seal that authorizes him to recieve any sort of benefits that your Holiness sees fit to dispense for this cause.

Given 28th February, in Menorca, Court of the Kingdom of Mallorca,

- Theodore

 

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A party of several men made its way into Rome. They carried the shield of the d'Este, and came on official buisness of Ferrara to his Holiness. One man identified himself as Roberto Bartolacci, emisary from Niccolo d'Este, and asked for an audience with the Holy Father at his covienence.

 

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Cardinal Gugilemo d'Altavilla, Archbishop of Salerno, introduced himself in Rome and asked for an audience with the holy father. With him he had a couple guards who unarmed themselves before entering holy ground, and two men who the guards had brought with them.

 

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Mátyás Ujlaky had to rest for an entire day before going to the Curia. He had travelled to Rome by ship, which had been a first for him. During most of the voyage he had been seasick, only wishing to get solid ground under his feet again. Ironically he had gotten used to the rolling waves near the very end of his journey, but to his dismay had discovered that now the ground seemed to be rolling under his feet instead! Therefore he had taken the time to rest, it would not do if he collapsed from "ground-sickness" in front of the Holy Father.

On his way to the Curia, he marvelled at the sights of the eternal city. Never had he dreamed that such a magnificent place could exist on earth. The Curia itself exceeded his wildest expectations.

When he was finally there, he told his servants to stand back, and then asked wether he, Mátyás Ujlaky, Bishop of Gyõr, would be allowed an audience with the Holy Father.

 

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The Holy Father admitted the visitors into his presence one at a time. First the emissary from his feudal subject, the Lord of Ferrara; secondly the absent Cardinal, thirdly the Hungarian Bishop.

To the ambassador of d'Este, he held out the papal ring to be kissed, and asked him impatiently his business...

...​

Later, to the Neapolitan Cardinal Gugilemo d'Altavilla, he rose, puffy face red with rising anger: "By the saints! How dare you bring uncouth, men of arms into my presence! Are you so important that you must be at all times guarded? Pride is a sin, fellow. A Mortal Sin!" As the Pontiff raged, he began to pace back and forth in front of his colleague. "Are ye thick, man?" He tapped the Cardinal's forehead. "Have you lost all sense of decency? I am the Supreme Pontiff, God's chosen leader on Earth, and you choose to express your utter disdain for me, for GOD, by presuming yourself alone to be of any worth?! Go you nowhere without your lackeys? Where is your humility?" He glared at the Cardinal's companions, unarmed as they were, as an offense to the the Holy institution. "Begone," he announced. "I will speak with the Cardinal alone."

Urban paused, and waited for any sign of apology or even resentment on Gugilemo's face, with which he could renew his speech. Suddenly, he became quiet, and spoke softly, almost kindly. "Have you supped this midday, seigneur d'Altavilla?"

...​

It was later still that Urban VI accepted visitation from Mátyás Ujlaky, the Bishop of Gyõr.

 

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Cardinal Gugliemo was most surprised by the Papa's reaction, but understood why he reacted so... but the Pope did not know why he had to bring these men either.

"Holy father, please accept my deepest apology, I wouldn't have brought them if it wasn't very neccasery..." he kneeled before the Pope, and kissed his rings. "These two men I brought, those who was escorted by the soldiers, they are Giacomo d'Itro and Leonardo Rossi... they are members of the false College of Cardinals in Avignon. They have sworn fealty to you, but they are nevertheless "Cardinals" in Avignon, to the false pretender who calls himself Clement. If they are released, surely, they will be return to Avignon and do more work for the Devil. Additionally, d'Itro is the Patriarch of Constantinople."

He took a deep breath, and continued: "The King of Naples, Charles, a humble servant of the church has taken these men prisoners, and now leave these men in the hands of the church. It is his wish that Rome deals with these men, it is not he who should decide the fate of these two..."

 

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A letter arrives bearing the seal of the Archdiocese of Cologne:
Urban, Bishop of Rome in Rome

Dearest Brother in Christ I send my most warm regards and prays for you and all who follow you at this trying times. I must admit, dear friend, that I have been much remiss lately in the affairs of this, our temporal realm. It has interested me little when our own holy Church is so divided and so I have instead prayed daily for guidance from our Lord to best help unite my own Archdiocese to the Church and the reunite the wider Church itself. Though I pray and beseech no guidance has yet arrived. I am continually undone.

Therefore allow me to grant instead of the fealty, which I cannot with Christ in my heart, grant to you a promise. That my land is always open for emissaries from your own and that all relics and services that can be offered by the Archdiocese of Cologne will be freely given to you, your emissaries and all who recognise you as Vicar of Christ.

I hope that we may continue our dialogue and that my quest for truth will be in your thoughts as much as the Bishop of Rome in Rome is in my own.

In his own hand

You humble servant and Brother in Christ

Friedrich III, Archbisop of Cologne, Prince-Elector of the Holy Roman Emperor

 

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Audience with Christ's Vicar

After kissing the ring, Roberto straigthened back up to respond to his Holiness.

"My Holy Father, I come here on behalf of Niccolo to seek your blessing on two subjects.

First, the sanctity and legality of the d'Este holdings of Ferrara and Modena. As you know, Italian politics are in the gutter and many houses will resort to any means to get what they want. Niccolo has already secured a bulle from the Emperor stating that the d'Este's are the rightfull lords of Ferrara and Modena, but he seeks your supreme understanding and command on the subject. The House Visconti still claim our lands with no legal basis, while Niccolo does not believe that even they are stupid enough to fly in the face of the Emperor and attack us, he still worries. Your Holiness, Niccolo II d'Este asks that you put the legality of the d'Este lands in writing so that no one can say otherwise.

Secondly, Niccolo has sent a detachment of knights to the Kingdom of Cyprus and most likely Rhodes. He seeks to set up a garrison there and aquire rights of passage so that Ferraran men-at-arms and galleys can be stationed there for a possible conflict with the muslims. He has a certain dream that one day a Ferraran will even get to set foot on the holy lands itself. However, we are keenly aware that Cyprus and Rhodes pay homage to the Anti-Christ in Avignon, and as a Papal fief we do not want to do anything to damage Rome. The Signore has instructed his men not to make any connections or deals with authorities with Avignon, and leave the schism out of the talks there. He just wants to...a....fullfill his Christian duty and the Glory of God by actively participating in the defense of these two lands. He seeks your blessing in this matter, however if you forbid it because of Avignon, he will have his knights return immediately ."

 

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Audience with the Emissary from Ferrara

"My son, it is a concern that your master sought first the Emperor's security before my own. As secular liege of Ferrara or as Pontiff of the Church my authority should be superior to the Emperor's in this matter. D'Este's holdings I affirm, but you must return to your lord and ask what he will do to repair this insult.

"On the second matter," Prignano continued gravely, "I will leave the decision to Niccolo's conscience, but I will say this --" He spoke the subsequent words clearly, slowly, ensuring their gravity was not mistaken. "Your master seeks to fulfill his Christian duty by aiding and defending these frontiers of Christendom. If Niccolo goes to these lands with no intent to convert them, I will not bless the enterprise. It will be an undertaking in the name of men, not of God. It is the decree of the Church he will gain no credit in Heaven for it."

When the audience was over, the Pope hastily blessed the messenger. As Roberto left, Urban called him around at the door. "Those who profess the anti-Christ as their spiritual father reject the love of God, reject his teachings and his ordained order - to protect them is to protect the Devil's mission on earth. Make care the house of d'Este does not show tolerance, implicit or overt, for the supporters of Clement...

A diplomatic mission to sway the heretics would be a commendable task, depending on its outcome..."

As though he had never given voice to the final, softly-spoken statement, the red-faced Pontiff waved a hand to the porter and turned away, and the door was shut in the messenger's face.


Audience with the Neapolitan Cardinal

Bartolomeo Prignano paused, mouth open at the start of an un-uttered tirade against the vices and misbehaviour of the Cardianal. The hurried interruption had been just in time. Slowly he ceased his impression of a fish in favour of something resembling a smile. "Well now," he declared, regarding the prisoners. Feeling he needed to say something about the recent outburst, he said "You would have done better to give me ample warning." This calm statement was a let-off, but there would be later opportunities to instruct the Cardinal. He couldn't stand most of these men - supposed to be the most holy and worthy in the institution but in fact childish, spoilt and unrepentant - and he hated losing a chance to chastise them for it, but more important business is more important business.

They had met outside the Pope's audience chamber, where there was no real reason to complain about d'Altavilla bringing his 'lackeys', and in any case they were the captives' jailers and not the Cardinal's bodyguards, so Urban grudgingly let that matter drop. Within him he sought his oh-so-small reserve of forbearance and invited the Cardinal to table. "The midday meal is a contemptible, gluttonous pastime, but there is no reason for us not to share wine."

Giacomo and Leonardo were sat towards the end of the length of a large table, with a guard behind the chair of either one. The Pope sat opposite with goblet and pitcher, and Gugilemo to his right at the foot of the slab, facing all five men. The Pope looked at the two prisoners, and drained his cup. He refilled it. He looked at the prisoners, but did not yet speak...

 

[Lord E]

Rome

John Hawkwood, entered the halls the Pope in Rome. He had been in Italia for years, and he had been to Rome before as well, but now after having been assign by the King to act as envoy to Italia, and Rome in particular his life has gotten more into routines and less warfare and mercenary operations like in the old days, though his band of men was till read to work should they be needed.
After walking around for a while he approaches the fist important looking man he meets and speaks

“Good day sir. I am John Hawkwood, and I have arrived here to report in as envoy from His Majesty King Richard Ii of England to His Holiness. His Majesty sends his best wishes to His Holiness, and His Majesty wonders how he might aid His Holiness in the struggle against the devil of Avignon?”

 

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Upon being admitted to see the Pope, Mátyás Ujlaky knelt and kissed the Holy Fathers ring.

"It is a great honor to be let into Your presence Your Holiness. I come representing the crown of Hungary, which as allways is vigilant against the threat of the ottoman turk. They pray they will be granted the strength to end this threat to Christianity once and for all."

"Outside a group of former mohammedans, converted during the reign of late King Lajos, brings a donation from the hungarian crown to Your Holiness. They just need instructions as to where to place the donation, they would never dream of bringing such base material items into Your Holiness's presence uninvited."

"The donation consists mainly of valuable items captured from the heathen lithuanians during the last crusade against them. Items that could not possibly be in any better hands than the Holy Mother Church."

The Bishop bowed deeply and nervously awaited the Holy Fathers reply.

 

[Cecasander]

An extraordinary, vague letter arrived at Rome. It was addressed to the pope himself. The letter bore the seal of House Visconti of Milan, and an unknown coat-of-arms that might be that of House Fieschi, but other than that there was no clue who might have send it. It was subscribed by merely ‘G’.

Onto his Holiness, Urbanus Sextus

An extraordinary man rules in Milan, a two-faced monster. Lord Barnabo Visconti is a cruel and vicious man, who only follows his own desires. He cares not for the demands of his loyal, rigious subjects, but brutally murders them when they dare to oppose him. He steals their gold to fight wars and to organize yet another gigantic boar hunt. He hired mercenaries to suppress the bishop of Lugano and silence the bishop of Milan, together with his son Giammastino Visconti, and he allowed the massacre and pillaging of Lugano. He allows mercenaries to run amok though Milan, pillaging churches and villages. He tries to create alliances against old enemies, but meanwhile try to trade with these enemies to enrich himself. He marries his daughters to rich German princes and French dukes, to make himself look good to the world, while he murders more peasants for not bleeding for him. My holiness, I beg you. My name is of no concern at this date, but I hold a particular high position near the lord of Milan, that I can see his vile and dangerous nature. My holiness, I beg you. Lord Barnabo Visconti should be researched by the Church, and if necessary he should be excommunicated. A man this cruel and greedy, self-centred and arrogant should not be allowed to rule, nor should he be allowed a place near our Lord when he time comes. My holiness, I beg you…

G

 

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A letter arrives from Prague

 

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Cardinal Guglielmo sat at the table with the Pope, and although wondering what he would do with the prisoners, he didn't want to know as he was about to eat. They were Avignon Cardinals, their fate was not one looking brightly. Guglielmo broke the silence with complimenting the food. After some small talk, he brought the issue back on Charles...

"Regarding Charles, the loyal servant of God in Naples, he has swore to defend your holiness from agression from the Avignon Bastard, or his followers. Sicily is the weapon of the Anti-Christ, as she can strike from the south. Should an invasion come from the north, Sicily would force us to fight on two fronts, something that would severly weaken us. Charles does, however, have a claim to the title of Sicily. As your holiness agreed, Queen Joanna was not the true monarch of Sicily, thus did not have the right to surrender that claim. I believe your son Charles can muster the support to invade the island, and remove her. If he do, the Avignon rebellion will surely be weakened... what does your holiness say to this matter? Should we try to persue Charles to invade Sicily? A female ruler on the throne of Sicily is highly dangerous. She is not only mad, she is stupid and weak. Crazy Clemet commands her as Satan commands him. She will attack us if he tells us to... better strike before stricken, no?"

Guglielmo looked at the Pope as if he needed advice. He had talked in a persuadive way, not only hiding his intentions, but talked to the Pope as if he was the wisest amongst them. Guglielmo wasn't overwhealmingly smart, so that might've been the case no matter...