The Papacy in the Late Middle Ages
The Schism
Having paused to learn a bit about papal government, I should probably remind the reader where we are in the narrative of late medieval popes. The year was 1378 and Pope Gregory XI, having returned to Rome as he'd vowed to do, had just died in the midst of preparations to return to Avignon. The result was that there were cardinals in Rome and there were cardinals in Avignon. Of those who were in Rome, the majority were Italian.
The people of Rome certainly wanted a Roman, or at least an Italian pope. They took to the streets and made their desires known loudly. The resident cardinals, both by inclination and seeing the pressure from the mob, chose to elect the new pope there in Rome rather than return to Avignon for the election. They chose Bartolomeo Prignano, a Neapolitan by birth but who had served much of his career in Avignon, where he'd managed the chancery. He was viewed by all as a life-long functionary with no strong agenda. A safe choice.
Prignano took the name Urban VI (1378-1389), and much to everyone's surprise, unexpectedly turned zealous upon his election. He began a strong campaign of reform, with the College of Cardinals his especial target. The cardinals were dismayed his sudden change in behavior. One faction, largely French, fled to Anagni where they declared Urban's election invalid, because it was forced upon them by the Roman mob. This, despite the fact that an entire summer had elapsed before they discovered this irregularity.
The faction at Anagni held its own election, choosing Clement VII (1378-1394) as a rival pope. With Clement they returned to Avignon. Urban at Rome excommunicated Clement, who returned the favor.
Thus began the Great Schism. Coming as it did on the heels of the Babylonian Captivity, the Schism caused an even greater scandal. There were now two popes, two Colleges of Cardinals, two entire religious governments. They appointed rival bishops, collected double taxes, issued conflicting penances, and excommunicated one another's supporters.