The Great Schism

A Successor

Jan 1, 1378

In 1378, Pope Gregory XI died while visiting Rome. The College of Cardinals then met in Rome to choose a successor. They decided on an Italian, Pope Urban VI. His passion for reform and his arrogant personality caused the cardinals to elect a second pope a few months later, Robert of Geneva, who took the name Clement VII. Since there were two popes, they each declared the other to be a false pope, excommunicating his rival. This began the split in the Church.

Excommunication

Jan 1, 1412

In 1412. Jan Hus, a professor in Bohemia, was excommunicated because he taught that the authourity of the Bible was higher than that of the pope.

The Third Pope

Jan 1, 1414

In 1414, the Council of Constance attempted to end the Great Schism by choosing a single pope. By now, there were a total of three popes: the Avignon pope, the roman pope, and a third pope elected by an earlier council at Pisa. With the help of the Holy Roman Emperor, the council forced all three popes to resign.

Trial

Jan 1, 1414

In 1414, Jan Hus was seized by Church leaders, and tried as a heretic and then was burned at the stake in 1415.

The New Pope

Jan 1, 1417

In 1417, the Council chose a new pope, Martin V, ending the Great Schism but leaving the papacy greatly weakened. The papaccy was furthere cahllenged by John Wycliffe. He believed that the clergy should own no land or wealth. He also taught that the Bible alone, not the pope, was the authourity for Christian life.