The Great SchismThe Great Schism

AP Euro 2.1

The Standoff

In 1300, the Church of the High Middle Ages, centralized in the Papacy, was at its strongest.

1296 - Clericis Laicos– Kings can’t tax the clergy– Kings need papal support for using

funds garnished from the church Pope Boniface VIII

Edward I of England

Philip IV “The Fair”

of France

And what you gonna do about it Boni Boy?

“Unam SanctumUnam Sanctum” 1302– Papal Bull– Most extreme of all assertions of Papal

supremacy

"Let no one persuade you that you have no superior or that you are not subject to the head of the ecclesiastical hierarchy, for he is a fool who so thinks."

I’m bringing the Bull!

More UNUM SANCTUM

– “Every human creature was subject to the Roman Pontiff (Pope)

– Two swords spiritual and temporal Only one sword rules…the pope

What’s a King to do???

Accuses the Pope of being the devil Send 2000 mercenaries to kill him Boniface VIII is captured, then released

– dies of “extreme chagrin” month later– diminishes power of Pope and raises Philip IV

Babylonian Captivity (1303-1417)

The death of Boniface VIII brought about the election of a Pope who was subservient to Phillip the Fair

– New Pope Clement V, took his residence in the French border city of Avignon

– The rest of Europe regarded the Popes at Avignon as tools of France

– Popes began to live a more extravagant lifestyle

– next 5 popes are all FrenchPope’s palace in Avignon

Great Schism of the Great Schism of the WestWest

In 1378 Pope Gregory XI dies while in Rome

Romans demand Pope be chosen while cardinals are in Rome

Choose Urban VI– an Italian who decides

to stay in Rome– temper begins to

shock cardinals

What to do when you don’t like your pick?

Just pick another Pope!

Two Popes

Urban VI– elected by the Cardinals– Based in Rome– excommunicates

Clement VII– Recognized by:

England Holy Roman Empire Italy

Clement VII– elected by the same

Cardinals– based in Avignon, France– excommunicates Urban

VI– Recognized by:

France Aragon / Castile (Spain) Scotland

Key Point: all of this was occurring in the same generation as the plague

What’s better than two popes?

Both die and each side elects a new pope

Cardinals on both sides get together in 1409 to resolve the issue….instead.

They choose another pope!

Yes, three popes at once!

Jon Wyclif (1380)

The true Church could do without elaborate possessions

– own no land An organized Church might not be

necessary for salvation. LollardsLollards

– movement based on Wyclif ideas– wanted reform of western church– religious power came from piety, not church

hierarchy Translated the Bible into English Disgusted in the schism

– people sent out to sway opinion for papal support

John Hus

Led a nationalistic religious movement in Bohemia

Similar to Wycliff

Bible is a higher authority than the Pope

Conciliar Movement

Movement to solve issues by gathering church leaders

Hoped to diminish the power of the Pope Create a council to rule with the Pope 1450 movement ends with Papacy still in

tact

Council of Constance 1414 - 1417Council of Constance 1414 - 1417

People tired of the bickering and infighting between the THREE Popes

– just want some spiritual leadership and guidance

– stop the spread of heresy!! Elect Martin V Pope

– others resigned John Hus

– accused of heresy– burnt at the stake

Simony, Nepotism, Pluralism

Church continues to be corrupted by money and privileges:

Simony– To buy or sell a Church office

Nepotism– To give lucrative Church positions to family

Pluralism– To hold more than one Church position at a time