The Great Schism

The Players Pope Boniface VIII Pope Clement V Pope Gregory XI

The Facts Papal court based in Rome Struggle between Pope Boniface VIII & King Philip IV of France ◦ Philip claimed right to tax clergy ◦ Boniface claimed clergy could not pay taxes to ruler without pope’s consent ◦ Philip disagreed and sent troops to Italy to bring Pope to trial in France

Avignon Church Philip IV engineered election of French pope, Clement V in 1305 New pope took up residence in Avignon, France Popes resided in Avignon from

Harsh Feelings Popes and clergy living lavishly Providing few public services Failed to do job during Black Plague

Return to Rome Pope Gregory XI returned to Rome in 1377 ◦ Died soon after return Citizens of Rome warned cardinals would not leave Rome alive unless Italian elected pope Cardinals elected Pope Urban VI (an Italian)

More unrest Five months later, French cardinals declared election invalid Chose Frenchman as pope ◦ Returned to Avignon Pope Urban VI remained in Rome ◦ Now 2 popes!

Europe Divided Support of different popes divided Europe France & allies supported pope in Avignon England & allies supported pope in Rome Each claimed the other pope was the Antichrist

Schism comes to an end… Church council met at Constance, Switzerland Ended Schism in 1417 Popes resigned or deposed New pope elected

Need for Change Struggle within church brought to light need for change Too much corruption amongst clergy Papacy had too much power

Question… What problems led to the decline of the Church’s authority in medieval Europe? ◦ Write 5 sentence paragraph to answer question. Write answer on paper provided for you Use information we discussed today AND information covered in previous lessons on the Middle Ages