Expands Papal Residence
The pope directed work on the fortress like papal residence that became the core of the Palace of the Popes at Avignon.
Role range: 1334-1342
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Benedict XII Biography and Timeline — Page 2
Follow Benedict XII through 49 dated historical records for France.
Benedict XII, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
49Distinct records
2 of 2Page
1339–1342Years on this page
1339
Oversees Palace Defences
The new papal building programme combined residential facilities with substantial defensive structures around the court.
Role range: 1334-1342
Receives Byzantine Diplomatic Approaches
Byzantine contacts encouraged discussion of closer relations between the Latin and Greek churches during his pontificate.
Role range: 1334-1342
1340
Continues Anglo French Mediation
Benedict XII continued seeking diplomatic openings while English and French forces fought during the early Hundred Years War.
Role range: 1334-1342
Supports Ecclesiastical Restoration
Although he remained at Avignon, the pope supported work intended to sustain religious institutions in Rome.
Role range: 1334-1342
1341
Issues Cum Dudum Letter
Benedict XII issued the letter Cum dudum, one of the surviving formal documents from the closing phase of his pontificate.
Role range: 1334-1342
Pursues Eastern Christian Dialogue
Papal diplomacy continued to explore church relations with Eastern Christians while political divisions complicated reconciliation.
Role range: 1334-1342
1342
Death of Benedict XII
Benedict XII died at Avignon after a pontificate centred on ecclesiastical and administrative reform.
Role range: 1334-1342
Pontificate Concludes at Avignon
Benedict XII died at Avignon, leaving a legacy of administrative discipline, monastic reform and major papal construction.
Role range: 1334-1342
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.