Final answer:
Philip the Fair convened an assembly of representatives of the clergy, nobles, and townspeople in 1302 to gain support for his actions against the Pope, strengthen the power of the French monarchy, and establish a more inclusive form of governance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Philip the Fair, also known as Philip IV, convened an assembly of representatives of the clergy, nobles, and townspeople in 1302 for several reasons.
Firstly, he needed to secure support and approval for his actions against the Pope and the Church, as he had sent soldiers to Rome in 1303 to remove Pope Boniface from power.
Secondly, Philip wanted to gain the cooperation and loyalty of the clergy, nobles, and townspeople in his efforts to centralize and strengthen the power of the French monarchy. Lastly, the assembly allowed Philip to establish a more inclusive and representative form of governance, as he sought to include representatives from different social classes in the decision-making process.