Western Civilization - History Of European Society

The Religious Reformations of the Sixteenth Century 255

international scandal for several reasons. The pope was
living outside his diocese, and absenteeism had long
been considered an abuse by reformers. Worse yet, the
pope seemed to be a mere agent of the French monar-
chy. This was not quite true. The Avignon popes were
more independent than they appeared to be at the
time, but their support of France against England in the
later stages of the Hundred Years’ War reinforced nega-
tive impressions. Their best efforts were devoted to
strengthening papal finances and to the construction of
a magnificent palace complex at Avignon (see illustra-
tion 14.1). Fiscal reforms backfired politically because
most countries responded to it with legislation limiting
papal jurisdiction and taxation within their borders.
The palace was ostentatious and fostered the idea that
the popes had no intention of returning to Rome. The
overall impression was that the popes were subservient
to France as well as greedy and luxurious.
Criticism mounted, and in 1377 Gregory XI re-
turned the papacy to Rome. He died in the following

year, and his Italian successor, Urban VI, was elected

amid rioting by the Roman mob and dissension among

the cardinals. Urban quickly alienated those who had

elected him by his erratic behavior and by his demands

for an immediate reform of the papal court. Thirteen

cardinals, twelve of whom were French, left Rome.

Claiming that the election had been held under duress,

they elected an antipope, Clement VII. The Great

Schism (1378–1417) had begun.

The church now had two popes. England, the

Holy Roman Empire, Hungary, and Poland supported

Urban VI. France, Castile, Aragon, Naples, and Scot-

land supported Clement. International and dynastic is-

sues were involved, and neither claimant would step

down. For nearly forty years each side elected its own

successors while papal administration deteriorated and

the prestige of the office sank to levels not seen since

before the Cluniac reforms.

The most promising solution was to convene a

general council of the church. In 1409 the Council of

Illustration 14.1

The Papal Palace at Avignon.The luxury and massive size of
the papal residence built during the so-called Babylonian Captiv-

ity helps to explain why the Avignon popes developed a reputa-

tion for greed and spiritual indifference.