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84 A History of Sweden
notwithstanding the ravages of the Black Death in
central Europe.
Birgitta came to Rome, the holy city, whose soil had
once been dyed in the blood of martyrs. There was now
a period of decay. Churches lay in ruins and were pro-
faned. Parties fought among themselves for power,
Vadstena Cloister.
and robber bands held sway in the streets. The shep-
herd of Rome, the pope, had deserted the city, enticed
to France by its king, who thus secured control of the
Head of the Church. There the popes and their retinues
led luxurious and profligate lives. This disgraceful
period lasted nearly seventy years, and, hence, is
known as the "Babylonian Captivity of the Popes."
Birgitta was one of the many who deplored this
shame of Christendom and saw the remedy in the
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