Great schism of Occident

Sources of the conflict

Change sociétale

Since the 10th century and the movement of the Peace of God, the Church divided the company into three order S. Leaving the temporal power and military with the nobility, it becomes guaranteeing moral social balance. Concentrating, all knowledge since the end of antiquity and being the principal promoter of teaching and scientific progresses and techniques (mainly within the abbeys), the Clergé positions like the central element and essential of the medieval company. The clerks, knowing to read and count, manage the institutions; the monks make function caritative works and the schools; by the means of religious holidays the number of the public holidaies reached 140 per annum. Controlling the cultural exchanges and profiting from the best technical training, the abbeys quickly cut the lions share in economic fabric still mainly agricultural. The apogee of the economic power, cultural, political and even soldier (because of the military Ordres which makes it possible to be able to count on permanent armed forces without having to balance them) Church is reached during the Croisades.

But starting from the end of the 13th century, balance between the three orders breaks. On the one hand the middle-class reaches an economic power which makes gradually it essential politically (princes and ecclesiastics borrow funds to him). In addition, for the needs for the trade, then for its own social rise it dealt with part of the culture, creating public schools and financing a cultural patronage. Same manner it finances many social works. The majority of the technical innovations are then the fact the laic ones, engineers, architects (such Villard de Honnecourt), craftsmen (such Jacoppo and Giovanni di Dondi originators of the clock with exhaust)… The choice place granted to the Church in the company for its cultural and social role, is justified less and less.

Whereas the clergy was with the point of scientific progress and philosophical with academics like Roger Bacon, Robert Grossetête, Pierre de Maricourt, Pierre Abélard or Thomas d' Aquin, some of its members then fear to be exceeded by evolutions which are likely to call into question the place of the clergy and a turn is taken the March 7th 1277: The bishop of Paris Etienne Tempier condemns the averroïstes (Siger of the Brabant) and certain theses of Thomas d' Aquin. The Church becomes preserving then and is made protective mystical positions, letting the middle-class take a role growing in scientific progress and philosophical. It is too for Philippe Beautiful the, which joins together a Concile bishops of France to condemn the pope, also brings together assemblies the noble ones and of middle-class man in Paris: the king seeks the support of all his subjects, in order to legitimate the fight which it carries out against the pope. This last threatens to excommunicate Philippe IV and to throw the interdict on the kingdom of France. The king, extremely of the support of the population and the ecclesiastics, sends to his Minister of Justice the knight Guillaume de Nogaret with a small escort armed towards Italy, with an aim of stopping the pope and of making it judge by a council. Nogaret is joined soon by a personal enemy of Boniface VIII, Sciarra Colonna, member of the Roman nobility, which indicates to him that the pope took refuge in Anagni. September 8th, 1303 the pope Boniface VIII is slapped by Guillaume de Nogaret. Under the blow of the emotion, he dies a few weeks afterwards: He ultimately chooses to be made crown in Lyon, out of ground of Empire, on November 1st. Clement V makes his possible to reconcile the good graces of the powerful Philippe the Beautiful one but pushes back his request to open the posthumous lawsuit of Boniface VIII which could have justified the Attentat of Anagni.

However, in the years 1370, Gregoire XI expresses the wish - wish already expressed by its predecessor - to bring back the pontifical see to Rome. For that, sovereign pontiff must make sure peace of Visconti before regaining the Roman Curia. In 1371, the lords of Milan Bernabò and Galeazzo Visconti, in war against the marquisat of Este, threaten the possessions of the Church. A coalition attached to the pontifical interests is formed under the control of Nicolas of Beaufort and Raymond de Turenne and where John Hawkwood was illustrated, with the head of the papal army against the free cities of Tuscany. The coalition of the armies of the pope, including/understanding princes de Montferrat, Este and Carrare, the kingdom of Naples, the House of Savoy, the republics of Genoa and Florence is opposed to Milan. Demolished since 1373, the two princes of the family of Visconti are declared perjuries and deposed of their row of knight by the pope although a truce is signed in June 1375 in Bologna. Florentins thus see escaping from the ecclesiastical loads which are traditionally their (and moreover more extremely lucrative). Anxious of successes of papacy and its increasing influence in its States, Florentins join with Bernabò Visconti in July 1375. The great famine which touches Florence in 1374 puts fire at the powders. Indeed, the city is seen refusing by the abbot of Marmoutier, general vicar, any importation of grain. Florence takes the head of the party of dissatisfied in Tuscany and revolts in the name of the libertas Italian cities and against the “new captivity in Babylon”. Bernabò and Florentins tries to make burst insurrections in the pontifical territory, especially at those (and they are numerous) which are exasperated by the attitude and the rapacity of the papal legates in Italy. Thus, in 1376, the majority of the cities of Italy are in revolt against the pontifical legates. They succeed so that in little time the Pope is dispossessed of totality of his inheritance. Strongly irritated by the seditious steps of Florentins, Gregoire XI place the Republic under prohibited, excommunicating all its inhabitants, including women and children. Moreover, to make good measure, it proscribes them, them and their possessions. The financial loss of Florentins is priceless. They ask for Catherine of His of intervene for them at Gregoire XI, but, in same time, sabotage all its efforts by taking again the hostilities to the pope.

In the middle of these serious disorders Gregoire XI, exauçant the pressing prayers of Catherine, decides to replace the pontifical see in Rome and to join the Curie. If its decision is made as of February 1374, the voyage is deferred because of the Milanese conflict. In spite of the protests of king de France and majority of the cardinals, it leaves Avignon on September 13rd, 1376 and embarks in Marseilles on October 2nd for Italy. He arrives in Corneto, via Genoa, on December 6th. He remains there until arrangements necessary were taken in Rome about its government and of its future installation. January 13rd, 1377, it leaves Corneto, unloads in Ostie the next day and goes up the Tiber towards the monastery San Paolo, from where it carries out its solemn entry in Rome on January 17th, 1377.

But its return towards Rome did not put a term at the hostilities. The terrible massacre of Césène, financed by the Robert cardinal of Geneva (which will become the Antipape Clément VII), revolt even more Italians against papacy. The quasi-continuous Roman riots lead Gregoire XI to be withdrawn on Anagni towards the end of the month of May 1377.

Being given little by little from its emotions, it returns to Rome. Seriously sick, feeling threatened in its palate even, it ends however up taking Rome in aversion and only death prevents it from going back to Avignon. He dies indeed in Rome on March 27th, 1378, whereas negotiations for a peace process began with Sarzana, leaving the Church in a perilous situation.

The schism

The event founder of the great papal crisis is the breaking of the conclave following the accession under pope of Urbain VI (1378 - 1389), successor in Rome of Gregoire XI. With his death, Gregoire leaves to the chambermaid a bubble with - rare thing - recommendations on his succession. Sovereign pontiff had a presentiment of the disorders which were to provide. The crisis and the schism which was followed from there are an event documented particularly well because of the great number of parts which the polemic caused. In this quarrel the role of the right was reaffirmed. The schism offered the table of divided Europe, a torn Church and a weakened papacy and exacerbated the manifestations of the disturbed conscience of Western Christendom.

The crisis of 1378

Seventy years after the departure of sovereign pontiff for Avignon, Rome accommodates part of the cardinals of the Sacré College in a feverish environment. The Roman crowd, assisted by the inhabitants of the Contado, anxious to keep Roman pope a “or at least Italian”, starts a riot the April 8th, day of the election. Fact, this one is neither completely free, nor completely valid. The archbishop of Bari, Barthélémy Prignano receives the tiara and takes the name of Urbain VI on April 18th, 1377. If the election were done mainly under the pressure of the Roman people out of weapon, the cardinals chose, in precipitation, for a man not very powerful and known for its last moderation.

However, hardly elected, Urbain VI, scrambles himself with part of the cardinals remained in Avignon and scandalizes by his sometimes brutal reforming will. He seeks to impose on the College a life in conformity with the evangelic ideal , asking the cardinals to give up their pensions and to invest in the restoration of the Church. Beyond, they is well two designs of the Church, the operation of its institutions and the aspect bénéficial, of its taxation and the role of its princes - one inhabitant of Avignon, the other Roman - who are opposed. The cardinals, in French majority, accustomed to the records and the backstage maoeuvrings to which they could reach their so remunerative loads, see of a very evil eye this pope moralizer and intransigent.

Benefitting from its estrangement with the queen of Naples, the cardinals in dissidence meet in Naples and pointing out the not-canonicity election, summon it to abdicate on August 2nd. September 18th, with Rome, Urbain VI names 29 new cardinals including twenty Italians. They obtain the support of the Queen of Naples, opposed to Visconti, then make play their networks of influence and convince the advisers of Charles V then the king him even of nonthe validity of the election of Urbain VI. September 20th, 1378, at the time of a conclave with Fondi in the area of Rome, Crowned the College elects one as of his, the Robert cardinal of Geneva, which takes the title of Clément {{VII}} (1378 - 1394). The schism is consumed.

First phase of the schism: 1378 - 1394

The Christian Occident divides then: a half of Europe remains faithful to Rome (Italy of north, England, Flandres, Empire and Hungary) while other half (France, Royaume of Naples, Scotland, Duchés of Lorraine, Duché of Austria and Duché of Luxembourg) holds some for the pope of Avignon. The territory of current Switzerland is particularly touched from its situation between the blocks and its political parcelling out. In the majority of the Swiss dioceses, there are then two opposite bishops of obedience. The Spanish kingdoms initially remain neutral but claim a council. Since 1379 Flandres with Ghent at the head are revolted against Louis de Male. Philippe de Artevelde took the head of the insurrection. It approaches the English, because the English wool imports are crucial for industry Flemish clothier. From this fact it passes under the obedience of Urbain VI. A French crusade supported by Clément VII overcomes it in Rosenbeke in 1382, consequently Urbain VI reacts and makes preach the crusade in England by Henri Despenser bishop of Norwich. This one is accepted by the English Parliament on February 23rd, 1393. The English ransack Ghent and attract each other the enmity of the Flemings. Louis de Male recalls the French to his help and a truce is quickly obtained. With its death in 1395, Philippe Bold the takes possession of the county it can be reconciling making it possible each one to choose its obedience: all the Flanders makes him allegiance what regulates the conflict.

Fights of influences for the control of Italy

Jean-Galéas Visconti, lord of Milan and Florentins continues their fight for the control of Italy. Viscontis and Neapolitan, play the French chart. It Valentine Visconti (1368 † 1408), girl of Jean-Galéas Visconti and Isabelle de France wife in 1389 Louis of Orleans, the brother of Charles VI. Louis of Anjou east adopted to him by the queen Jeanne I {{Re}} of Naples in 1380, it binds his cause to that of the pope of Avignon Clément VII and launches out in the preparations of an joint action in Italy as of the death of the queen in 1381.

August 1st

The 1408 Council of Pisa

The Church considering that its supreme sovereign is the pope, it is unable to solve its bicéphalie: it cannot dislocate one of the two pontiffs. Many cardinals of the two edges decide to try the way of the concillarism to put an end to the schism and meet Concile of Pisa, in 1409. They decide there to deposit both pope and to elect new: Alexandre {{V}} (1409 - 1410). But the cardinals are excommunicated by the 2 rival popes and the situation worsens: there are then 2 antipapes!. The assembly of the bishops positions with the top of the Pope and envisages her next convocations. Jean {{XXIII}}, antipape in Pisa, is deposited and the pope Romain Gregoire {{XII}} thorough to abdicate (only to make “ count rase ” of the whole of the crisis, which Gregoire accepted by spirit of peace).

Martin V, elected the November 11th 1417 by a Conclave composed of cardinal and representatives of the Germany, England, Spain, France and Italy, and with the support of the Council of Constancy, settles with Rome in 1418, putting thus fine at the Great Schism.

Martin will have had the good idea to announce as a preliminary that it would not call into question the nominations of cardinals carried out by the two others antipapes (which consequently were recognized like legitimate popes in their respective obediences until the date of the taking of of Martin), which will have probably facilitated the consensus about it.

Last sudden starts

But the antipape of Avignon Benoit {{XIII}}, withdrawn with Peñíscola, with the Kingdom of Aragon (last State to recognize it), refuses to be inclined though almost deprived of any support. He dies antipape in 1423. Three of its last four cardinals elect all the same, with Peñíscola, the antipape Clément {{VIII}}, which ends up giving up when the king d' Aragon Alphonse V itself joins himself the pope of Rome Martin.

The fourth cardinal considering the election of Clement IX in Aragon irregular form a conclave with him only and proclaims Benoît {{XIV}} “pope” of the Church of Avignon with Rodez, driving with a new minority schism (and not recognized) of the old Church of Avignon (nevertheless noncomparable with the Great Schism, that the regular election of Martin by the cardinals of three old obediences had solved), before taking again itself the title under the same name (title qualified of antipape imaginary in the old texts, since no election nor no conclave took place). Besides none the clergies of the Churches Rome, Pisa, Avignon and Aragon confers to the successor of Clement IX (who him had joined in Rome) the title of pope or even that of antipape, because its nomination does not concern any recognized cardinal. This minority schism loses all its supports quickly and its last supports in the clergy are completely repressed in 1467 or are submitted to the pope of Rome.

Consequences

The division of the Church following the great schism of Occident opens a space with criticism. New theories such as those of John Wyclif can be revealed, whereas the ecclesiastics tear enter in favor of the pope or the mutually being discredited antipape. The ground is prepared for the reform whose Wyclif is one of the precursors.

News Ecclesiology and called into question

Both pope excommunicating himself reciprocally like schismatic, the doubt settles as for the validity of the sacraments lavished by two obediences. He denies with the priest S in a state of mortal sin the possibility of giving the faults. Wyclif clearly lets hear that the Church of England is pecheress and guilty of Corruption. Its works reflect these concerns: the Of civili domino E Of domino divino (1375) refuses with the priests and at the church community any temporal power, the Of officio governed supports the kingly capacity which charged it with reaffirming its rights in the Anglo-Norman tradition, the Of veritate Scripturæ Sanctæ sanctions its preceding theses by the support of the Writings (1378). This same year, however, a reconciliation is held between Gregoire XI and the king. But the theologist continues his company with the Of potestate papæ (1379), supported by the influential duke of Lancaster - Jean of Ghent then regent of the kingdom. He thus gains the favors of part of the nobility - Jean of Ghent but also dukes of Northumbrie - while wanting to redistribute the richnesses of the Church . Its religious theses find a broader audience: in 1378, of Wyclif theologist is made Pasteur. The London population and, during a certain time, the Ordres beggars are interested in its novel ideas which are propagated in England by itinerant preachers called the poor preachers or Lollards. Three synods come to condemn its ideas which do not cease being spread. It makes followers abroad such Jean Hus which preaches into Bohemian, torn by the internal conflicts. Jan Hus is struck of excommunication whereas works of Wyclif are burned and it is driven out city. It continues, in the campaigns, its evangelic preaching which involves a popular rising. Whereas the divided Church tries to gather with the Concile of Constancy to put an end to the crisis, it is invited to put forward its opinions. It puts at it in difficulty, the intellectuals of the Université of Paris and the largest canonists Romains. Imprisoned, it is burned alive for heresy. But this period made it possible the ideas of Wyclif to be diffused: they can be regarded as precursors of the Réforme.

Assertions of national particularisms

After the test of the Great Schism of Occident, the Catholic church pains to find authority. The Concile of Constancy of 1418 took some measurements well, to restore a pretense of discipline but, at Rome, sovereign pontiff does not manage to restore his authority. Also Martin V (elected in Constance) convenes a new council, but he dies before he is held: it is Eugene IV who joins together it, initially with His then in Basle, in 1431.

But, far from finding his authority, the pope encounters a violent opposition of the conciliar assembly: She proclaims her preeminence on the pope who holds up the threat of dissolution to him. The emperor Sigismond and the king Charles VII propose a mediation, to avoid a new schism. It makes it possible to find an agreement transitory and the council can continue. It decides in particular the suppression of a royalty which is an important source of revenue for Rome: the Annate S. to counter these initiatives, the pope convenes another council with Ferrare, in January 1438. Eugene IV having succeeded in making pressure on the political authorities, only an small group lives Basle which elects a antipape.

In its preamble, the Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges denounces the abuses papacy. In its first article, she declares the supremacy of the Concile S generals on the Saint Sits and limit the capacities of the pope. Thus the free election of the bishops and the abbots by the chapters and the monasteries is restored: She removes the nominations by the Saint Sits and her right of reserve. The royalty obtains to be able “to recommend” its candidates to the episcopal and abbey elections near the chapters. The ordinance of Bourges establishes also jurisdictions making it possible to limit the calls (often expensive) facts to Rome. Lastly, it fixes a minimum age to become cardinal, reduced the possibility of the pontiff of raising a certain number of taxes (suppression of the Annate S) and restricts the effects of the Excommunication and the prohibited .
Fine policy, Charles VII makes a success of what Philippe the Beautiful one vainly tried to carry out. Although referring to Rome, the Church of France acquires a great autonomy. The king makes sure honesty of the French clergy.

However, the Pragmatic Sanction is unacceptable for the pope, in spite of the support brought by Charles VII for Eugene IV against the antipape elected by the irreducible ones of Basle. The first article on the preeminence of the councils is absolutely unacceptable. Deprived of invaluable incomes, the Saint Sits request the abrogation of the Pragmatic Sanction, or at least that this one is seriously amendée.
Interminable discussions are started. Pramatique Sanction, is accepted by the French clergy and the majority of the Parliaments, except in Brittany and Burgundy.

Acceleration of the dissolution of the feudal order

The bases of the medieval company incorporating 3 commands are shaken by the crisis of the feudality which prevails since the end of XIIIe century. In Northern Europe, overpopulation involves the reduction of the pieces does not make it possible more to be self-sufficing: the famines become recurring. The weight of the taxation increases with the modernization of the State and becomes unbearable with the expenditure due to the one hundred year old war, Charles V obliging the English to maintain permanently the garrisons in Aquitaine and in the places which they hold in Normandy, Brittany and Picardy. Between the 1377 and 1380 tax by capitation is multiplied by three. The English taxpayers skew (in particular by not counting the women) and the administration reacts by drawing up precise lists in 1381: they ask the abolition of serfdom, the abolition of the system forcing of regulation of work and redistribution of the grounds of church to the peasants. The bases of the medieval company are threatened. Richard II temporizes while negotiating with their chief Wat Tyler, while Robert Knolles assembles an army. When this one is ready Tyler is assassinated in full talks, like was Guillaume Carle. Decapitated, the movement crumbles

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