Immediately after his accession, he concerned himself with the conjugal irregularity in which the King of France was living.

"My predecessor, Celestine," he wrote to the Bishop of Paris, "would fain have put a stop to this scandal, but he was unsuccessful; as for me, I am quite resolved to prosecute his work, and obtain by all and any means fulfilment of God's law.

Be instant in speaking thereof to the king on my behalf; and tell him that his obstinate refusals may probably bring upon him both the wrath of God and the thunders of the Church." And indeed Philip's refusals were very obstinate; for the pride of the king and the feelings of the man were equally wounded.

"I had rather lose half my domains," said he, "than separate from Agnes." The pope threatened him with the interdict,--that is, the suspension of all religious ceremonies, festivals, and forms in the Church of France.

Philip resisted not only the threat, but also the sentence of the interdict, which was actually pronounced, first in the churches of the royal domain, and afterwards in those of the whole kingdom.