'Castle of the Popes, Avignon', 1890. Palais des Papes, medieval gothic fortress and palace, papal residence and seat of Western Christianity during 14th century. Constructed by Pierre Poisson on the instruction of Pope Benedict XII, the palace was then expanded under successive Popes. From "Cassell's Illustrated Universal History, Vol. III - The Middle Ages", by Edmund Ollier. [Cassell and Company, Limited, London, Paris and Melbourne, 1890. ]