John Huss and the Hussite Wars - James Aitken Wylie

Proclamation was made by a herald that no one
was to come within a certain specified distance of
the conclave, and it was forbidden, under pain of
excommunication, to pillage the house of the
cardinal who might happen to be elected Pope. It
was a custom at Rome to hold the goods of the
cardinal elect a free booty, on pretense that being
now arrived at all riches he had no further need of
anything. At the gates of the conclave the emperor
and princes kept watch day and night, singing
devoutly the hymn "Veni Creator," but in a low
strain, lest the deliberations within should be
disturbed. The election was finished in less time
than is usually required to fill the Papal chair. The
French and Spanish members of the conclave
contended for a Pope of their own nation, but the
matter was cut short by the German deputies, who
united their votes in favor of the Italian candidate,
and so the affair issued in the election of Otho, of
the most noble and ancient house of Colonna. His
election falling on the fete of St. Martin of Tours,
he took the title of Martin V. Platina, who is not
very lavish of his incense to Popes, commends his
prudence, good-nature, love of justice, and his
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