Explanation From Original OP:

In 1268-1271, The Cardinals responsible for electing the new Pope were unable to agree who to vote for over the course of 3 years. The people of Viterbo, angry at how long it was taking, locked the cardinals in their Palace of Popes, limited their food and water, and went to far as to literally rip the roof off the building to pressure the cardinals to hurry the fuck up. Eventually, Gregory #10 was elected. Greg would go on to pass a rule that would employ the same tactics Viterbo used against the cardinals to speed up future papal elections and minimize political influences, thus creating the concept of the Conclave (Cum Clave, Latin literally meaning “with a key”, as in lock them in)