[hprints-00683151, v2] Enea Silvio Piccolomini (Pius II ... - Hprints.org

hprints-00683151, version 2 - 19 Mar 2013
2.7. The attitude of the King of France
[44] I perceive that this is also the intent of the Most Christian King of France 469 and
his ambassadors 470 . Who does not understand the intentions of his glorious Majesty
in this way? And who does not think well and respectfully about this great king?
Whether we consider the accomplishments of his predecessors or look at his own
life, we must acknowledge that this great and vast kingdom has always been a
bastion and an ornament of the Faith. If I were to talk about this subject, the day
would run out before the words, for the volumes and history books are full of them.
The magnificent accomplishments of the former kings are celebrated everywhere
with almost divine praises 471 . So many were the illustrious deeds of this kingdom for
the Faith that it gained the first place among the kingdoms and even merited to be
called Most Christian – among other excellent kingdoms.
[45] But why do I dwell on these things when my words cannot do them justice. I
pass over that famous gymnasium and wonderful school of Paris 472 : it is impossible
to speak adequately about its scholarship and how greatly it has contributed to the
growth of the Faith. The old kings are said to have always shown it particular
respect, and we see that the present king lives up to his predecessors and equals the
former kings in the arts of war and peace as well as in glory.
469
Charles VII: King of France (b. 1403, k. 1429, d. 1461)
470
Simon Charles
471
A number of Frankish emperors, starting with Charlemagne himself, and French kings had over the centuries
supported the popes militarily and intervened on their behalf
472
i.e. the University of Sorbonne. In this period the term “university” had not yet gained general currency. This
university was a strong and highly respected proponent of conciliarism (Stieber, p. 62). The remark of Piccolomini is
therefore both a compliment and a statement
97