Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgements

Introduction

1. The Empty See
a. Empty See Governance and the Papal Electoral System
b. The Liturgy of the Empty See
c. Looting, Charity, and Liturgy

2. The Empty See as Liminal Phenomenon

3. Looting the Empty See: The Early Chronology
a. Introducing Spolia: The Connection with the Ancient
b. Early Spoils: Historiography
c. Evidence
d. Right of Spoil

4. Looting the Empty See: The Great Western Schism (1378)
a. Rome 1378: Quick Historiography
b. Rome 1378: Background
c. Rome 1378: “Romanum Volumus Papam Vel Omnes Moriemini!”

Conclusion: More Loot

Works Cited and Bibliography
Index

About the Author

Joëlle Rollo-Koster, Ph.D. (1992) in History, State University of New York at Binghamton, is Professor of Medieval History at the University of Rhode Island. She has published extensively on papal Avignon.

Reviews

"[...] the book presents a careful, engaging, and often brilliant presentation of both traditions and specific events". Alison Williams Lewin, Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia. In: Renaissance Quarterly, Vol. 62, No. 1 (Spring 2009), pp. 197-198.

"This is a study rich in detail that deals with fascinating episodes in the history of the church. It offers many detailed and convincing readings of important sources and is successful in both surveying vast amounts of material stretching over many centuries and zeroing in on the origins of the Great Schism as one crucial part of the great complex of ideas tied to ritual looting and pillaging". Renate Blumenfeld-Kosinski, University of Pittsburgh. In: The Medieval Review, 08.12.06.

“Rollo-Koster’s study is undeniably exhaustive and fascinating”. Natacha-Ingrid Tinteroff, University of Paris II, Panthéon-Assas. In: The Catholic Historical Review, Vol. 96, No. 2 (April 2010).