The Conclave, In Its Inability To Agree, Had Named A Committee Of Six With Full Powers Which The Same Day Elected Theobald, On The Recommendation Of The Cardinal Bishop Of Portus (John De Toleto, Said, In Spite Of His Name, To Have Been An Englishman).

This facetious dignitary had suggested that the roof should be taken off the Palace at Viterbo where they sat, to allow the divine influences to descend more freely on their counsels (quia nequeunt ad nos per tot tecta ingredi).

According to some, these doggerel verses, current on the occasion, were extemporised by Cardinal John in the pious exuberance of his glee: -

"Papatus munus tulit Archidiaconus unus Quem Patrem Patrum fecit discordia Fratrum."

The Archdeacon, a man of great weight of character, in consequence of differences with his Bishop (of Liege), who was a disorderly liver, had gone to the Holy Land, and during his stay there he contracted great intimacy with Prince Edward of England (Edward I.). Some authors, e.g. John Villani (VIII. 39), say that he was Legate in Syria; others, as Rainaldus, deny this; but Polo's statement, and the authority which the Archdeacon took on himself in writing to the Kaan, seem to show that he had some such position.

He took the name of Gregory X., and before his departure from Acre, preached a moving sermon on the text, "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem," etc. Prince Edward fitted him out for his voyage.

Gregory reigned barely four years, dying at Arezzo 10th January, 1276.

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