Hélie de Talleyrand-PérigordElias Talleyrand de Périgord. In Latin: Talayrandus, Cardinalis Petracoricensis. (1301 – 17 January 1364) was a French cardinal,1331 Salvador Miranda, Consistories for the creation of Cardinals 14th Century (1303-1404) from one of the most aristocratic families in Périgord, south-west France. Hélie became a major figure in the Avignon papacy, and also a diplomat engaged in the negotiations of the Hundred Years' War, having friendships in both English and French royal families. In his last months he had been appointed Papal Legate for a crusade against the Turks.

Family

Hélie was born at Périgueux, third sonZacour (1956), p. 683. of , Count of Périgord, and Brunissende of Foix, daughter of Roger Bernard III, comte de Foix. His elder brothers were Archambaud (IV), who inherited the County, and Roger-Bernard (who married Eleanor, daughter of Bouchard, Comte de Vendôme); his younger brother was Fortanier, and his sisters were Agnes (who married John of Sicily Duke of Durazzo and de Gravina in 1321), Jeanne (who married Ponce, Seigneur de Castillon), Marguerite (who married Éméric de Lautrec), and Rosemburge (who married Jacques de Lavie, grand-nephew of Pope John XXII). As a third son Hélie was destined for an ecclesiastical career. His brother, Roger Bernard, too, had an ecclesiastical career, becoming Canon of Lyon. But then, the eldest son died, and Roger-Bernard became the Count of Périgord.Zacour (1960), p. 13 and n. 37.

Bishoprics

In 1308, at the age of six, Hélie was granted a Canonry in Agen, for which Pope Clement V granted him special dispensation.Zacour (1960), p. 8 and p. 74. He was probably educated at first in the local school of the cathedral of Périgueux,Duchesne, Preuves, p. 315 (Talleyrand's Testament): "... in the Church of St. Front de Périgueux...in which we took the first steps of our upbringing..." but in 1320 he was granted permission by Pope John XXII to study Civil Law for five years, even though he was primicerius in the Church of Metz.G. Mollat (ed.), Jean XXII. Lettres communes III, p. 200, no. 12495. Zacour (1960), p. 7. He may have studied at Toulouse, though there is no direct evidence. Early in his career Hélie became Abbot Commendatory of the Abbey of Chancelade in the diocese of Périgueux, with which the family had long been connected. At the age of twenty-three Hélie de Talleyrand, who was already Canon of Périgueux and Archdeacon of Richmond in the Church of Lincoln, was appointed Bishop of Limoges, which was approved by Pope John XXII on 10 October 1324. He held the diocese until 1328. It appears, however, that he was never consecrated during his years as bishop of Limoges.He got two extensions for his not being consecrated: Zacour (1960), nos. 21-23, the latest on 1 November 1326. Eubel, I, p. 301. In his Testament, Talleyrand calls himself bishop-elect. If he had been consecrated, as Zacour points out, he would have had to resign his other benefices, which might have proved financially disadvantageous.Zacour (1960), pp. 9-10.

Then, on 4 January 1328 his translation to the diocese of Auxerre was approved. It is said that he was consecrated bishop by Pope John XXII himself.H. Audiffret, in: No authority for the statement is given. In 1330 Bishop de Talleyrand founded the Chartreuse de Vauclaire.Meusnier, p. 212. The date is much contested. Since the resulting legal proceedings did not end until 1340, it may have been at that date that the Chartreuse was endowed. In his Testament Talleyrand left the monastery 10,000 gold ecus. This was allegedly at the command of the King of France, in reparation for outrages committed against a Franciscan convent on the outskirts of Périgueux by Talleyrand's eldest brother Archambeau, Count of Périgord, at the time of their mother's funeral in October 1324.See Zacour (1960), p. 9. Talleyrand held the diocese of Auxerre until he became a cardinal in 1331. His successor was approved on 24 January 1332.Eubel, I, p. 120.

Cardinal

In a Consistory held for the promotion of cardinals on 25 May 1331, Pope John XXII appointed one and only one cardinal, Hélie de Talleyrand, as a Cardinal-Priest. This was at the request of King Philip VI of France, on the recommendation of Étienne de Mornay, Maître des Comptes and former Chancellor.Du Chesne, Preuves, p. 312. The appointment caused a good deal of friction between the King and the Pope. Philip had asked for two cardinals, which the Pope was quite unwilling to grant. Though he did elevate Talleyrand, Pope John sent off a tart letter to the King on 25 May, the day after he had approved the promotion. He pointed out that the College of Cardinals was already well supplied with the talents required by the Church. Moreover, the Papacy had not been deaf to the requests of the French kings. Of the twenty current cardinals, thirteen were subjects of the King of France. Nonetheless, with the consent of those cardinals (or perhaps one should say 'pressure from'), he had agreed to promote Bishop Talleyrand.Baronio (ed. Theiner), Volume 24, p. 481, under the year 1331, § 33. Baluze (1693), I, p. 736 [ed. Mollat, II, p. 233]. Zacour (1960), p. 10, ignores Baluze and gets the number of French cardinals subject to King Philip wrong. It is clear from the Pope's letter to the Queen that there were six Italian cardinals. The Pope's complaints seem to have fallen on deaf ears, for the royal family were again begging for more cardinals in September. This time, on 26 September, the Pope wrote to Queen Joanna. He reminded the Queen of the rules observed in the Roman Curia. Appointments were never made in private, only in open Consistory, with votes of the current cardinals heard; appointments were made only for good reason, when the number of cardinals had fallen too low, or when there was an insufficiency in talent in theology or Canon Law, neither of which was the case at the present moment. In fact the number of cardinals was excessively high, and there was talent aplenty. She should also consider that there were now sixteen cardinals of French extraction, and only six Italians. He therefore refused the royal request.Baronio (ed. Theiner), p. 481-482, under the year 1331, § 34. Baluze (1693), I, p. 736 [ed. Mollat, II, p. 233]. The pressure continued, however, and on 20 December 1331 yet another French cardinal, Pierre Bertrand, was appointed.Eubel, I, p. 16.

Of the two names put forward, Talleyrand was the less undesirable choice. He was smart, he had studied the law, and he was a relative by marriage of the Pope. This may also explain the Pope's indulgence in allowing Talleyrand to keep the diocese of Auxerre until 22 July 1332, to finance his move to Avignon.

He signed at least two papal bulls on 25 May and 22 June, but not with the name of a titular church, indicating that one had not yet been assigned.Baluze (ed. Mollat) II, p. 272, n. 2. When one was assigned, he became the Cardinal-Priest of S. Pietro in Vincoli.Eubel, I, p. 45. He made his official appearance in Avignon in the third week of July 1331, at which time there was a banquet with the Pope and Cardinals in his honor.Zacour (1960), p. 11. Perhaps not coincidentally, Pope John finally paid the bill for Talleyrand's cardinal's hat on 9 July 1332:

Death of John XXII and Conclave of 1334

Pope John XXII died on Sunday 4 December 1334. The day before, the Pope had a bedside meeting with the Cardinals in Avignon; his successor provides a list of the twenty cardinals, including Talleyrand de Périgord, who were present.Baronio (ed. Theiner), Volume 25, p. 15, under the year 1334, § 36. Four cardinals were not present, Napoleone Orsini and Giovanni Gaetano Orsini among them. It was at this meeting that the Pope recanted his notions about the beatific vision, which had so unsettled Christendom.

The Conclave opened on 13 December 1334. The early discussions were not about a particular candidate, but about the need to extract a promise from all the candidates that the new Pope would move the Roman Curia back to Rome. John XXII had made promises in that direction, and his failure, with one excuse after another, seriously angered the senior Italian cardinal, Napoleone Orsini.Baronio (ed. Theiner), Volume 25, p. 17, under the year 1334, § 39. Cardinal Napoleone therefore led a group of cardinals who were demanding a return to Rome. Cardinal Hélie de Talleyrand led a group of French cardinals who were just as determined to keep the Curia in Avignon. According to Giovanni Villani,Cronica, Book XI, chapter xxi, p. 239 ed. Dragomanni the cardinals led by Talleyrand thought that they had found a pope in Cardinal Jean-Raymond de Comminges. But when he was approached and asked to take the oath that was being demanded, he refused. Finally, on 20 December 1334, a sufficient number of votes was accumulated by the Cistercian Cardinal Jacques Fournier, who became Pope Benedict XII. J. P. Adams, Sede Vacante 1334. Retrieved: 2016-06-07.

In 1336 King Philip VI of France was in Avignon, and a crusade was agreed on. Four cardinals took the cross on that occasion: Annibaldo di Ceccano, Hélie de Talleyrand, Gauscelin de Jean Duèse, and Bertrand du Pouget.Baluze (1693), I, p. 817 [ed. Mollat, II, p. 321]. None of them ever made the trip. In the summer of 1340, the King authorized the two parties in a dispute between the Count of Foix and the Monastery of Lézat to choose their own arbitrators; one of those chosen was Cardinal de Talleyrand.

Talleyrand had been assigned by Pope Benedict XII, probably in 1341, as Auditor to hear the case of Lampredius, Bishop of Trau, who refused to cooperate with the proceedings. Talleyrand declared him contumacious and suspended him from office. But then Pope Benedict died. The new pope, Clement VI, supported Talleyrand, however, and renewed the suspension, authorizing the Subdeacon of Trau, Desa Andreae, to assume the spiritual and temporal direction of the diocese.

In 1346, Cardinal de Talleyrand negotiated the purchase of the castle of Albarupe (Auberoche) in Périgord from the Duke and Duchess of Brittany, which had belonged to their nephew the Count of Limoges but which had been occupied by enemies of the king by stealth and betrayal. The Duke and Duchess were eager to see the Castle in responsible hands, and so they sold it to the brother of the Count of Périgord.Du Chesne, Preuves, p. 312.

In 1347, Cardinal de Talleyrand founded the Chapel of S. Antoine in the Cathedral of Saint Front de Périgueux. It was to be served by twelve chaplains, appointed by the Cathedral Chapter on the recommendation of the Counts of Périgord. The action was approved by Pope Clement VI in a bull of 26 June 1347. In his Testament he left the chaplains 150 gold florins.Duchesne, Preuves, p. 315.

On 4 November 1348 Pope Clement VI promoted Cardinal de Talleyrand to be Cardinal-Bishop of Albano (1348-1364), and, in 1361 seniority made him Dean of the College of Cardinals (1361-1364), following the death of Cardinal Pierre de Pratis (des Près).Eubel, I, p. 35. Salvador Miranda, Biographical listing of Elias de Talleyrand

Conclave of 1352 Pope Clement died in Avignon on 6 December 1352. The Conclave to elect his successor opened on Sunday 16 December 1352 in the Apostolic Palace in Avignon, with twenty-six cardinals in attendance, including Hélie de Talleyrand and his enemy, Guy de Boulogne. At mid-morning on 18 December they elected Cardinal Étienne Aubert, who took the name Innocent VI. He was crowned on 30 December 1352.Zacour (1960), pp. 23-25. J. P. Adams, Sede Vacante 1352. Retrieved: 2016-05-28.

Benefices