Paperwork revealed from the Vatican archives in 2014 revealed an unimaginable story of pirate assaults and corruption involving a 14th century bishop, whose lifelong accumulation of treasure was accosted by pirates on the way in which to Avignon, France, the place Pope Harmless VI was primarily based. One of many pirate ships ran aground and the pirates in addition to a portion of the treasure was captured. The pope took the treasure and used it as presents for royalty and to pay troopers, courtiers and different employees.

In keeping with Live Science, the medieval story was recorded and saved within the Vatican archives and was revealed in a guide titled ” The Spoils of the Pope and the Pirates, 1357: The Full Authorized File from the Vatican Archives” (The Ames Basis, 2014), edited by Daniel Williman, a professor emeritus at Binghamton College, and Karen Ann Corsano, a non-public scholar.

Papal Complicity and Blind Eye

In keeping with the historic account, a French bishop named Thibaud de Castillon acquired a hoard of treasures by way of ‘business actions’ within the Mediterranean and Atlantic together with numerous sorts of speculative buying and selling and dodgy dealing. Whereas the bishop was not required to take a vow of poverty, it was thought-about a mortal sin to lend cash with a excessive curiosity and purchase earnings by way of dishonest buying and selling investments.

“He ruled and exploited the bishopric by way of a vicar common for 3 years whereas he managed a business collaboration with the necessary Montpellier retailers,” Williman and Corsano wrote of their guide. To get round his ‘mortal sin’, de Castillon made “clumsy efforts to faux that his money wealth and its earnings truly belonged to his brokers,” and the papal administration appeared content material to show a blind eye as they meant to take all his wealth as spoils when he died, Williman and Corsano defined.

Fresco of Pope Harmless VI, 1365, on the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella (Public Domain)

Following the loss of life of de Castillon in 1357 AD, a ship named the São Vicente, laden with de Castillon’s lifelong accumulation of treasures, together with gold, silver, rings, tapestries, jewels, positive plates and altars, set sail from Lisboa (modern-day Lisbon) in Portugal, to Avignon in France.  Pope Harmless VI (reign 1352-1362) was primarily based in Avignon attributable to political turmoil in Italy on the time.

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The Looted São Vicente

Nevertheless, the São Vicente was attacked by two pirate ships whereas crusing close to the city of Cartagena, in modern-day Spain. One of many ships was captained by a pirate named Botafoc (“fireplace blast”), whereas the opposite was commanded by Martin Yanes.

Aerial view of the bay within the metropolis of Cartagena in modern-day Spain. (alexkazachok/Adobe Inventory)

“Botafoc’s ship was armed to the tooth,” wrote Live Science. “Data point out that his crew carried cutlasses (swords with curved blades utilized by sailors and pirates) and struggle pikes, and his galley had at the very least seven ballistae, which had been massive, crossbow-like units able to launching 9-inch (23 cm) stone bullets at excessive speeds.”

The pirates who stole a useless bishop’s treasure aboard the São Vicente ship within the 14th century seemingly used a galea sotile galley. Proven right here, a mannequin of a Galley of the Order of the Knights of St. John (Knights Hospitaller), Malta. (Myriam Thyes/CC BY-SA 3.0)

The crew of the São Vicente had little alternative however to give up de Castillon’s treasure to the 2 pirate ships. Whereas the ship led by Martin Yanes seems to have made a clear getaway with a bounty of treasure, Botafoc’s ship ran aground close to the city of Aigues-Mortes in France, and the pirates had been captured by the native garrison.  The crew was rapidly hanged, whereas Botafoc and some of his officers had been despatched to jail to await their destiny. 

Hanging was the same old method during which pirates had been executed. (Public Area)

Williman and Corsano wrote that Botafoc “deposited a considerable amount of gold coin” with the resident Bishop, which appeared to have saved him and his officers from the hangman’s noose as they had been let off with a positive.

As for the beached pirate vessel, native fishermen had been fast to take objects whereas native authorities had been distracted with the pirates, and on eleventh February, 1357, a clerk of a neighborhood choose took stock of the remaining items.

“Aside from the ship’s sail, cordage, oars, armament and rigging, the choose’s clerk on the seashore listed an incredible mass of clothes and fabric in odd heaps — but in addition objects like books and ecclesiastical vestments,” Williman and Corsano wrote. These items had been promptly despatched on to Pope Harmless VI to make use of as presents for royalty and to pay his troopers and employees.

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Preservation of Historic Legacy

The story is only one account that was saved throughout the Vatican Secret Archives, now named the Vatican Apostolic Archives, to keep away from the misperception that they’re stored from the general public. These archives are estimated to include some 13 kilometers (8 mi) of shelving filled with state papers, correspondence, papal account books, and lots of different paperwork which the church has amassed over the centuries.

High picture: Data on the cabinets of one of many Archives’ storage areas, often called the Scaffali in Ferro, which incorporates 13 kilometers of shelving over two flooring. Supply: Vatican Apostolic Archives

By Joanna Gillan