The Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges is a ordinance which was promulgated the July 7th 1438, by the king of France Charles VII, with the agreement of the clergy joined together in assembly in Bourges. The king affirms himself like the guard of the rights of the Church of France. This decree was the first step towards the Gallicanisme.

Context

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. And one demolishes in Ferrare the decisions taken in Basle…

Members brought together at the assembly of Bourges

Within sight of the disorders generated by the Conciliarisme, Charles VII decides to organize the Church of France to his manner, while referring to the reforms ratified in Basle. July 7th, 1438, the king promulgates the Pragmatic Sanction. Around Charles VII, the bishop S and the abbots of France constituted this assembly of Bourges.

Four archbishops were present:

• Regnault of Chartres, archbishop and Chancellor of France.

• the archbishop of Chartres, Philippe de Coëtquis.
• the archbishop of Bourges, Henri d' Avaugour.
• the archbishop of Toulouse, Denis of the Mill.

25 bishops, a great number of abbots and deputies of the various universities and chapters of France.

At this assembly the pope Eugene IV had as representatives the archbishop of Crête and bishop of Digne, Monseigneur Pierre of Versailles, a Doctor of Divinity, the Concile of Basle as for him was represented by the bishop of Saint-Pons, the abbot of Vézelay, Guillaume Hugues archdeacon of Metz, the canon of Lyon, Jean de Manze, the eminent doctor in Théologie Thomas de Courcelles.

The Pragmatic Sanction

This ordinance takes again, with some modifications, a score of decrees taken by the council in the spirit of which it is registered and given a particular status to the Church of France. It constitutes to some extent an alliance between the sovereign and the clergy, limits the prerogatives of the pope by reaffirming the supremacy of the councils which clearly defined the capacities of the Saint Sits.

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 amended. Interminable discussions are started. Pramatique Sanction, is accepted by the French clergy and the majority of the Parliaments, except in Brittany and Burgundy.

Legal settlement of Bologna

In spite of the attenuation of certain measurements by Louis XI by preoccupation with a conciliation with the saint sits, it remains in force to the signature by François 1st and Leon X of the Concordat of Bologna in 1516.

See too

• Gallicanisme