The celebrated controversies of 1296-1303 between Philip the Fair of France and Pope Boniface VIII produced a huge amount of polemical literature. In addition to several major treatises, all of which have been published in modern editions, there exists an important literature of pamphlets and diplomatic correspondence. This minor literature remains largely untranslated and unedited, or is available only in hard-to-access sources. The three pamphlets printed in this volume are well known by name: Antequam essent clerici, Disputatio inter clericum et militem and Quaestio in utramque partem. Almost all histories and textbooks make reference to these documents; but few students have ever read them or even seen them, and it is for the benefit of such students that they are now published. Completely new editions of the Latin texts have been made from the manuscripts, and are printed on the left-hand pages, with an English translation on the right-hand page. Anyone who wishes to compare the translations with the originals will therefore be able to do so easily. There is also a comprehensive introduction and bibliography by the editor. This book will provide a valuable resource to students of one of the most important controversies of the middle ages. --three pamphlets relating to the controversy between Pope Boniface VIII and King Philip the Fair of France, regarding clerical taxation and secular jurisdiction, that culminated in an attempt by the King of France's ministers to forcibly depose, or assassinate, the Pope --material fully edited or translated into English for the first time --parallel edition of Latin text and English translation --full editorial apparatus of introduction and bibliography