CORONATION OF LOUIS. 145 On the persecution of these insubordinate brethren Michele da Cesena could afford to look with complacency, and he evidently desired to regard the bull of August, 1327, as directed against them. He maintained his attitude of submission. In June the pope had summoned him from Home to Avignon, and he had ex- cused himself on the ground of sickness. His messengers with his apologies were graciously received, and it was not until December 2 that he presented himself before John. The pope subsequently declared that he had been summoned to answer for secretly en- couraging rebels and heretics, and doubtless the object was to be assured of his person, but he was courteously welcomed, and the ostensible reason given for sending for him was certain troubles in the provinces of Assisi and Aragon, in which Michele obediently changed the ministers. Until April, 1328, he remained in the papal court, apparently on the best of terms with John.* Meanwhile the quarrel between the empire and the papacy had been developing apace. In the spring of 1326 Louis suddenly and without due preparation undertook an expedition to Italy, at the invitation of the Ghibellines, for his imperial coronation. When he reached Milan in April to receive the iron crown John sternly forbade his further progress, and on this being disregarded, pro- ceeded to excommunicate him afresh. Thus commenced another prolonged series of citations and sentences for heresy, including the preaching of a crusade with Holy Land indulgences against the impenitent sinner. Unmoved by this, Louis slowly made his way to Rome, which he entered January 7, 1327, and where he was crowned on the 17th, in contemptuous defiance of papal pre- rogative, by four syndics elected by the people, after which, ac- cording to usage, he exchanged the title of King of the Romans for that of Emperor. As the defender of the faith he proceeded to. try the pope on the charge of heresy, based upon his denial of the poverty of Christ. April 14 he promulgated a law authorizing the prosecution and sentence in absentia of those notoriously de- famed for treason or heresy, thus imitating the papal injustice of 1325, No. 20, 27.— Franz Ehrle (Archiv fur L. u. »K. 1886, p. 151).— Martene Thesaur. II. 752-3.— Vitoduran. Chron. (Eccard. Corp. Hist. I. 1799).— D' Argen- ts, I. 1. 297.— Eymeric. pp. 291-4.
- Martene Thesaur. II. 749. — Baluz. et Mansi III. 315-16. — Nicbolaus Minorita
(Baluz.et Mansi III. 238-40). III.— 10
