Avignon Papacy

Quick Facts: Who was Avignon Papacy?

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Avignon Papacy

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The period (1309–1376) when the Papacy resided in Avignon, France, rather than Rome.

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Origins & Early Life

The Avignon Papacy (Occitan: Papat d'Avinhon; French: Papauté d'Avignon) was the period from 1309 to 1376 during which seven successive popes resided in Avignon (at the time within the Kingdom of Arles, part of the Holy Roman Empire, now part of France) rather than in Rome. The situation arose from the conflict between the papacy and the French crown, culminating in the death of Pope Boniface VIII after his arrest and maltreatment by agents of Philip IV of France. Following the subsequent death of Pope Benedict XI, Philip pressured a deadlocked conclave to elect the archbishop of Bordeaux as Pope Clement V in 1305. Clement refused to move to Rome, and in 1309 he moved his court to the papal enclave at Avignon, where it remained for the next 67 years. This absence from Rome is sometimes referred to as the "Babylonian captivity" of the papacy (cf. Italian cattività avignonese, i.e. "Avignonese captivity").

Career & Major Achievements

The seven popes that reigned at Avignon were all French, and all under the influence of the French Crown. In 1376, Gregory XI abandoned Avignon and moved his court to Rome, arriving in January 1377. After Gregory's death in 1378, deteriorating relations between his successor Urban VI and a faction of cardinals gave rise to the Western Schism. This started a second line of Avignon popes, subsequently regarded as illegitimate. The last Avignon antipope, Benedict XIII, lost most of his support in 1398, including that of France.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After five years besieged by the French, he fled to Perpignan in 1403. The schism ended in 1417 at the Council of Constance. Among the popes who resided in Avignon, subsequent Catholic historiography grants legitimacy to these: Pope Clement V: 1305–1314 (curia moved to Avignon, 9 March 1309) Pope John XXII: 1316–1334 Pope Benedict XII: 1334–1342 Pope Clement VI: 1342–1352 Pope Innocent VI: 1352–1362 Pope Urban V: 1362–1370 (in Rome 1367–1370; returned to Avignon 1370) Pope Gregory XI: 1370–1378 (left Avignon to return to Rome on 13 September 1376) The two Avignon-based antipopes were: Clement VII: 1378–1394 Benedict XIII: 1394–1423 (expelled from Avignon in 1403) Benedict XIII was succeeded by three antipopes, who had little or no public following, and were not resident at Avignon: Clement VIII: 1423–1429 (recognized in the Crown of Aragon; abdicated) Benedict XIV (Bernard Garnier): 1424–1429 or 1430 Benedict XIV (Jean Carrier): 1430?–1437 The period from 1378 to 1417, when there were rival claimants to the title of pope, is referred to as the "Western Schism" or "the great controversy of the antipopes" by some Catholic scholars and "the second great schism" by many secular and Protestant historians. Parties within the Catholic Church were divided in their allegiance among the various claimants to the office of pope. The Council of Constance finally resolved the controversy in 1417 when the election of Pope Martin V was accepted by all.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1305: 1305 Milestone — Following the subsequent death of Pope Benedict XI, Philip pressured a deadlocked conclave to elect the archbishop of Bordeaux as Pope Clement V in 1305.
2. 1309: 1309 Milestone — The Avignon Papacy (Occitan: Papat d'Avinhon; French: Papauté d'Avignon) was the period from 1309 to 1376 during which seven successive popes resided in Avignon (at the time within the Kingdom of Arles, part of the Holy Roman Empire, now part of France) rather than in Rome.
3. 1376: 1376 Milestone — In 1376, Gregory XI abandoned Avignon and moved his court to Rome, arriving in January 1377.
4. 1378: 1378 Milestone — After Gregory's death in 1378, deteriorating relations between his successor Urban VI and a faction of cardinals gave rise to the Western Schism.
5. 1398: 1398 Milestone — The last Avignon antipope, Benedict XIII, lost most of his support in 1398, including that of France.
6. 1403: 1403 Milestone — After five years besieged by the French, he fled to Perpignan in 1403.
7. 1417: 1417 Milestone — The schism ended in 1417 at the Council of Constance.
8. 1437: 1437 Milestone — –1437 The period from 1378 to 1417, when there were rival claimants to the title of pope, is referred to as the "Western Schism" or "the great controversy of the antipopes" by some Catholic scholars and "the second great schism" by many secular and Protestant historians.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Avignon Papacy

True or False: “The Western Schism began immediately after Pope Gregory XI returned to Rome in 1376.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The Western Schism started later, following the death of Gregory XI and subsequent deteriorating relations between his successor, Urban VI, and a faction of cardinals.

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