The Historians' History of the World 08

1326 John incites the duke of Lithuania to attack the Teutonic knights. The papal forces capture Parma and Reggio.

1328 Ludwig IV, crowned in Rome by Sciarra Colonna, obtains a decree from the Roman people that the pope must reside in Rome. John is declared deposed, and Pietro di Corvara, Nicholas V, made pope.

1329 The Ghibellines turn against Ludwig; the Visconti and Este families treat with the pope. Nicholas abdicates, and is imprisoned at Avignon.

1332 John of Bohemia, who has settled the troubles of the Ghibellines, plots with the pope to obtain Italy.

1333 The papal forces defeated at Ferrara. John abandons his designs on Italy, and returns to Bohemia.

1334 The papal party loses most of its captured cities. Death of John, as he is about to be tried for heresy. Jacques Fournier, Benedict XII. He begins to build the palace of the popes at Avignon, and attempts to curb the luxury of the monastic orders.

1338 The German electors declare that the pope has no jurisdiction over Germany.

1342 Pierre Roger, Clement VI. The Romans send an embassy to urge him to return to Rome. He appoints the Fifty Year Jubilee.

1343 Clement renews excommunication of Ludwig.

1347 Revolution of Rienzi in Rome. He is elected tribune, and carries out many reforms. After a defeat of the nobles he commits many extravagant acts, and is compelled to abdicate.

1348 Joanna of Naples sells Avignon to the pope.

1349 The Flagellants declared to be heretics.

1351 Rienzi delivered to the custody of the pope by Charles IV of Germany.

1352 Etienne d’Albert, Innocent VI.

1354 Cardinal Albornoz restores papal power in Rome. Rienzi made senator. He rules badly, and is killed.

1356 The Golden Bull terminates the long strife between papacy and empire.

1362 Guillaume de Grimoard, Urban V. Most of the pope’s enemies have been quieted, but the Visconti still remain in open hostility. The pope desires to return to Rome, since the papal states are reduced to obedience.

1367 Urban removes to Rome. Death of Albornoz.

1370 Urban returns to Avignon and dies. Pierre Roger de Beaufort, Gregory XI. England and France reject his offers of mediation with contempt. Italy, after the death of Albornoz, attempts to free herself from the pope. The Visconti are all-powerful in the north. The whole south revolts. The Free Companies ravage the country. Sir John Hawkwood serves now the Guelfs and now the Ghibellines.

1376 Mission of St. Catherine of Siena to urge the pope to return to Rome.

1377 Arrival of Gregory at Rome.

1378 Death of Gregory.

THE GREAT SCHISM OF THE WEST [1378-1417 A.D.]

1378 The Romans urge the election of a Roman pope; under this pressure the cardinals choose Bartolommeo Prignani, Urban VI. The French cardinals immediately band against him, and, withdrawing to Fondi, pronounce the election invalid and elect Robert of Geneva, Clement VII. Germany, England, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, and Italy (except Naples) support Urban. France, Naples, Scotland, Savoy, Lorraine, and the Spanish kingdoms support Clement. Urban resides at Rome; Clement, at Avignon. Urban excommunicates Clement. Wycliffe attacks the papal primacy.

1379 War between the two popes. Bloodshed and strife in Italy. Defeat of Clement’s forces in Urban’s crusade against Naples. St. Angelo surrenders. Clement retreats to Avignon.

1380 Joanna I of Naples attempts to poison Urban, who allies himself with Hungary. Charles of Durazzo reaches Rome on his way to Naples.

1381 Conquest of Naples by Charles of Durazzo and the Hungarians. He takes the throne.

1383 Urban VI goes to Naples, which Louis of Anjou, adopted by Joanna, has invaded. Urban obtains many advantages there for himself and family.

1384 Hostilities arise between Urban and Charles, owing to the former’s arrogance. Louis dies, and his forces are dispersed.

1385 Charles induces several cardinals to plot against Urban. They are seized and tortured. Urban excommunicates Charles, who ignores the bull. Siege and capture of Nocera by Charles’ army. Urban flees to Genoa. Charles goes to Hungary, leaving Naples to his son, Ladislaus.

1386 Urban orders the imprisoned cardinals (except one) put to death. The doge of Venice compels Urban to leave Genoa; he goes to Lucca.

1387 Urban moves to Perugia.

1388 Urban leaves Perugia for Naples, to which he has laid claim. His army breaks up, and he retires to Rome.

1389 Death of Urban. Pietro Tomacelli, Boniface IX. Clement crowns Louis II of Anjou king of Naples. Boniface adopts a conciliatory spirit and recognises Ladislaus.

1390 The Jubilee brings a great revenue into Boniface’s treasury. He recognises the many dynasties within the papal states.

1392 Through influence of Boniface, who goes to Perugia, the warfare among the states of northern Italy is terminated.

1394 Death of Clement VII. Pedro de Luna, Benedict XIII, anti-pope.