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Crisis in the Late Medieval Church

Effects of the Schism

All the abuses of the Babylonian Captivity were likewise doubled, as each pope unabashedly bid for power. Each hurled anathema at the other, their canon lawyers finding numberless precedents to prove the justice of their side.

The pious of Christendom were shocked and dismayed, but most everyone was forced to choose sides. France and her allies (Scotland, most of Spain, and various German princes) supported the Avignon pope. England, Flanders, Portugal, the Emperor, Bohemia, Hungary and most German princes supported the Roman pope. Italy was divided, as ever, with the cities changing sides frequently.

Adherence to one side or the other meant supporting the appointment of bishops and abbots by one pope while rejecting those from the other. It meant ensuring that tithes and contributions went to Rome rather than Avignon, or vice versa. It did not mean war, however; neither pope resorted to the calling of a crusade against his rival.

Indeed, almost from the first, both sides at least talked about resolving the conflict. The issue was a most delicate one, for earlier medieval popes had been largely successful in asserting that no one and no authority could sit in judgment upon a pope. Therefore, in this matter, who was qualified to choose?