Western schism

The Great Schism

By umbrellacycles
  • Jan 1, 1374

    Papacy Moves

    The papacy attempts to move from French Avignon back to the original city of Rome,
  • Jan 1, 1378

    Pope Gregory XI Dies

    Pope Gregory XI Dies
    Pope Gregory XI dies while in Rome. The College of Cardinals chose a new Pope. The Romans all wanted a Roman Pope, "or at least an Italian," so the cardinals chose Pope Urban VI
  • Sep 20, 1378

    Start of the Great Schism

    The cardinals disliked Pope Urban VI because of his arrogance and passion for reform. They chose a new pope, Robert of Geneva, who took the name Clement VII and ruled in Avignon. Pope Urban VI still ruled from Rome. The two popes tried to excommunicate eachother, splitting the Church into two. This is known as the Great Schism. For years, Popes of Avignon and Rome fought for rule
  • Period: Sep 20, 1378 to Jan 1, 1417

    The Great Schism

  • Jan 1, 1389

    Pope Boniface IX

    Pope Boniface IX
    Pope Boniface IX takes over for Pope Urban VI.
  • Jan 1, 1394

    Pope Benedict XIII

    Pope Benedict XIII
    Pope Benedict XIII takes over for Pope Clement VII.
  • Jan 1, 1404

    Pope Innocent VII

    Pope Innocent VII
    Pope Innocent VII takes over for Pope Boniface IX.
  • Jan 1, 1406

    Pope Gregory XII

    Pope Gregory XII
    Pope Gregory XII succeeds Pope Innocent VII.
  • Dec 10, 1409

    Pope Alexander V

    Pope Alexander V
    Pope Alexander V attains papacy from cardinals trying to end the Great Schism.
  • Jan 1, 1410

    Pope John XXIII

    Pope John XXIII
    Pope John XXIII suceeds Pope Alexander V
  • Jan 1, 1417

    End of the Great Schism

    End of the Great Schism
    All other popes are forced to resign, and Martin V is chosen as the pope by the Council of Constance, ending the Great Schism. The papacy is largely weakend at this point.