Papal Schism(13781417)
Jack McKenna
2261
A growing debate between the French and Italian Catholics during the late 14th century prompted one of the largest religious splits in history. The Great Schism, from
13781417CE, caused the catholic religion to split into two, those who sided with the
Italians and those who sided with the French. “ By the time Pope Gregory XI turned the
Curia to Rome, the institution was widely perceived as the tool of French power.”1
Florence, an Italian city, and its allies revolted against the Papal States. “Pope Gregory died on March 27th, 1378.”2 The job of naming his successor broke out in violence, with crowds demanding an Italian pope from the mostly French College of Cardinals.3 The
Cardinals then prudently elected an Italian named Pope Urban VI to calm the Italian
Catholics. However, Pope Urban VI, strongly against corruption, alienated the Cardinals so much that they elected another pope, Clement VII. Now with two popes, one french and one Italian, the Catholics were back to the original source of conflict, having the religion split between France and Italy. This lasted for almost forty years until, finally, the
College of Cardinals proposed a resolution. The Great Schism of 13781417 resulted in a weakening papal power and more accountability towards the other members of the church. 1
Cantor, Norman F., ed.
Pimlico Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages
. Pimlico, 1999. s.v. "Great
Schism."
2
3
IBID IBID
The socalled "Babylonian Captivity" was one of the main factors Which caused the
Great Schism. In 1309, Pope Clement V moved the papacy and his residence to
Avignon, a city just outside French territory on the Rhone River. This allowed Phillip,
King of France, to have much influence on the papacy. In 1377, Pope Gregory XI made a significant move and returned the papacy to Rome.”4 This angered the Italians and gave off the perception that the Papacy was now under complete French control. After Pope Gregory died in March of 1378, a new pope, Urban VI was elected by the
College of Cardinals, who remained in the city of Avignon.5 The city of Avignon or “City of Popes” was a holy city in France that held popes and antipopes from 1309 to 1423.6
“Pope Urban VI refused to go to Avignon and intended to assert the primacy of the pope and reform the church.”7 Urban’s reformation plan didn’t win the support of any cardinals. Urban, strongly against corruption, demanded that the cardinals stop spending money on their luxuries and take a more jejune approach. Urban alienated the
Cantor, Norman F., ed.
Pimlico Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages
. Pimlico, 1999. s.v. "Great
Schism."
6
Wikipedia
. s.v. "Avignon."
7
Cantor, Norman F., ed.
Pimlico Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages
. Pimlico, 1999. s.v. "Great
Schism."
cardinals with his harsh rules to a point where they questioned his mental balance and eventually claimed his election to be coerced.8 In September the cardinals elected a new pope, a relative of the French king, Clement VII. “His election through the church into havoc. Forced from Italy, Clement took up residence in Avignon, and all of Europe then chose sides. Some took the opportunity to encroach on papal prerogatives and revenues.”9 In an attempt to calm the people of Europe, successors were chosen for both popes.
“When Urban’s successor Boniface IX and Clement’s successor Benedict XIII declined to cooperate, the French sought to compel them by subtraction of obedience.”10 In
1408, the French made a last attempt
