Note 158 — Chapter III · THE FRATICELLI.

Nicholaus Minorita (Baluz. et Mansi III. 243-349).—Jac. de Marchia Dial. (Ibid. II. 598).—Chron. Sanens. (Muratori S. R. I. XV. 81).—Vitodurani Chron. (Eccard. Corp. Hist. I. 1799-1800).—Martene Thesaur. II. 757-60.—Alvar. Pelag. De Planctu Eccles. Lib. II. art. 67.

The career of Cardinal Bertrand de la Tour illustrates the pliability of conscience requisite to those who served John XXII. He was a Franciscan of high standing. As Provincial of Aquitaine he had persecuted the Spirituals. Elevated to the cardinalate, when John called for opinions on the question of the poverty of Christ he had argued in the affirmative. In conjunction with Vitale du Four, Cardinal of Albano, he had secretly drawn up the declaration of the Chapter of Perugia which so angered the pope, but when the latter made up his mind that Christ had owned property, the cardinal promptly changed his convictions, and was now engaged in persecuting those who adhered to the belief which he had prescribed for them.—Tocco, Un Codice della Marciana, pp. 40, 43, 45.