Avignon and the Western Schism, 1378–1417

History of Avignon Prehistory Before Rome Gallo-Roman Avignon Late antiquity Early Middle Ages The medieval commune The papal move The papal court Western Schism Legates Wars of Religion Altera Roma Eighteenth century Union with France Napoleon Nineteenth century Twentieth century Early twenty-first century

After Gregory XI’s death, rival elections in 1378 divided Western Christendom. Avignon became the seat of a papacy competing with the one in Rome.

The rival elections of 1378

In 1378, Urban VI was elected in Rome under intense pressure. Some cardinals subsequently challenged the election and chose Robert of Geneva, who took the name Clement VII. He settled in Avignon in 1379. The conflict involved political networks and competing views of papal authority as well as personal disputes.

Kingdoms and principalities aligned with either Rome or Avignon. Political alliances played an important role, but support changed during the Schism. Division weakened papal authority and complicated attempts at reconciliation.

Benedict XIII and the palace siege

Benedict XIII succeeded Clement VII in 1394. His refusal to relinquish the papacy gradually cost him supporters. Besieged in the Palace of the Popes, he escaped in March 1403. He eventually withdrew to Aragonese territory and died in 1423, after the Schism had ended.

Portrait of Benedict XIII by Henri Ségur, Palace of the Popes

The end of the Schism in 1417

The Council of Constance restored papal unity with Martin V’s election in 1417. Avignon remained papal territory, but did not regain its former role as a capital of Christendom.

Further reading: Gregory XI, Pope in Avignon (1370–1378) · Clement VII, antipope in Avignon (1378–1394) · Benedict XIII, antipope in Avignon (1394–1423).

History of Avignon Prehistory Before Rome Gallo-Roman Avignon Late antiquity Early Middle Ages The medieval commune The papal move The papal court Western Schism Legates Wars of Religion Altera Roma Eighteenth century Union with France Napoleon Nineteenth century Twentieth century Early twenty-first century