The Great Schism The Great Schism AP Euro 2.1
Dec 17, 2015
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
“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
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