Urban VI

Urban VI (1318-1389) was pope from 1378 to 1389. During his pontificate began the Great Schism of the Church, during which rival popes at Rome and Avignon claimed legitimacy and divided the loyalties of Europe.

Bartolomeo Prignano, who became Urban II, was born in Naples. He became archbishop of Bari and an influential figure in the papal court, although he was never a cardinal. Before his pontificate, he was known as a competent Church official who was interested in reforming the Church to meet the growing criticism of the times. Much of this criticism stemmed from the "Babylonian Captivity" (1309-1377), or removal of the papacy to Avignon in France. Pope Gregory XI returned the papacy to Rome in 1377 but died in 1378. When the College of Cardinals met to elect his successor, feeling ran high. Outside the conclave, the people of Rome clamored for the election of an Italian pope and even threatened to murder the cardinals. On April 8, 1378, the cardinals decided that, under the circumstances, the wisest choice was Prignano, who took the name Urban VI.

But almost immediately, the cardinals began to quarrel with the new pope, who angered them both by his attempts to make unwelcome reforms in the papal court and by his undiplomatic personality. Thirteen of the cardinals left Rome and went to the city of Fondi. On Aug. 9, 1378, they declared Urban's election invalid, and on September 20 they elected a new pope, Clement VII (Robert of Geneva, a cousin of the king of France). Thus began the Great Schism.

Even today there is disagreement about the legitimacy of the dissident cardinals' action and about their motives. The cardinals themselves argued that Urban's election was invalid because it occurred under duress, but they waited four months before they objected. Another factor was the personality of Urban VI, who by all accounts was short-tempered, stubborn, and, in the opinion of some, abnormally violent. Undoubtedly he alienated the cardinals by his manner. But it is probable also that France feared a loss of power from the papacy's return to Rome and so persuaded the French faction of the cardinals to bring a pope to Avignon again. In any case, the Great Schism brought Urban VI the support of France's enemies and brought Clement VII the support of France and its allies, creating years of bitterness and much loss of prestige for the papacy.

On Nov. 29, 1378, Urban excommunicated his rival; Clement VII retaliated in kind, and both popes declared their own legitimacy to the end of their lives. Urban VI died on Oct. 15, 1389.

Further Reading

For the pontificate of Urban VI the best general history in English is Mandell Creighton, A History of the Papacy during the Period of the Reformation, vol. 1 (1882). However, the definitive work on Urban's part in the Great Schism is Louis Salembier, The Great Schism of the West (trans. 1907). See also Walter Ullmann, The Origins of the Great Schism (1948). □

Urban VI 1318?-1389, pope (1378-89), whose election was the immediate cause of the Great Schism ; a Neapolitan named Bartolomeo Prignano; successor of Gregory XI. He was made archbishop of Acerenza (1364) and of Bari (1377). On the death of Gregory, the conclave, with French cardinals in the majority, fell into factions and was threatened by a Roman mob demanding the election of an Italian to prevent the return of the papacy to Avignon. At the suggestion of Cardinal de Luna , Prignano was elected. Urban, before his election peaceable and modest, now became upbraiding and harsh and alienated all the cardinals. They went to Anagni, then to Fondi, and declared Urban's election invalid on the ground that they had been intimidated by the mob. With the consequent election of a new "pope," Robert of Geneva (antipope Clement VII), began the Great Schism. Urban was recognized from the first by most of Italy and Germany, by Flanders, and by England and English territories. Until 1380, St. Catherine of Siena lived at Rome, working for Urban's recognition. Urban alienated his political allies by his behavior; he probably murdered five cardinals (he had created a new sacred college) who had plotted against him, and thus horrified all Europe. Many believe Urban was insane. His election is now generally considered canonical. He was succeeded by Boniface IX.

Urban VI (1318–89), Pope from 8 Apr. 1378. He was elected on the death of Gregory XI under pressure from the Roman populace, who demanded an Italian. Though he had previously been noted for his austerity and aptitude for affairs, his pontificate became a series of grave imprudences. In Aug. 1378 the French cardinals declared his election void as performed under duress, and in Sept. they elected the antipope Clement VII, thus beginning the Great Schism.

Urban VI (1318–89) Pope (1378–89), b. Bartolomeo Prignano. The College of Cardinals declared his election invalid and appointed an antipope, Clement VII, thus beginning the Great Schism. Urban VI's papacy was marked by confusion and financial losses in the Papal States.