Origins & Early Life

Pope Urban VI (Latin: Urbanus VI; Italian: Urbano VI; c. 1318 – 15 October 1389), born Bartolomeo Prignano (Italian pronunciation: [bartoloˈmɛːo priɲˈɲaːno]), was head of the Catholic Church from 8 April 1378 to his death, in October 1389. He was the last pope elected from outside the College of Cardinals. His pontificate began shortly after the end of the Avignon Papacy.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

It was marked by immense conflict between rival factions as a part of the Western Schism, with much of Europe, such as France, the Iberian Kingdoms of Castile and Aragon, and Scotland recognizing Clement VII, based in Avignon, as the true pope. Prignano was born in 1318 in Itri, what was then part of the Kingdom of Naples. He was appointed rector of the University of Naples, after receiving a doctorate in canon law. Prignano was also vicar general of the archbishop of Naples. In 1363 he was consecrated Archbishop of Acerenza in the Kingdom of Naples, and worked in the Avignon papal chancery.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

By 1376, with the departure of Pope Gregory XI to Rome, Prignano was appointed regent of the chancery. He became Archbishop of Bari in 1377. Prignano had developed a reputation for simplicity and frugality and...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Cosimo de' Medici — Contemporary (Born in 1389) (1389): Banker and patron who established the Medici family's rule over Renaissance Florence.
• Dmitry Donskoy — Contemporary (Died in 1389) (1389): Prince of Moscow who openly challenged Mongol authority, achieving fame at Kulikovo.
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• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam — Shared historical date (10-15 · Born) (1931): Visionary aerospace engineer, scientist, and former President of India.
• Abd al-Rahman III — Shared historical date (10-15 · Died) (961): Founder of the Caliphate of Córdoba, a period of immense Islamic cultural zenith.
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• Murad I — Historical peer (Died in 1389) (1389): Sultan of the Ottoman Empire who expanded the realm into the Balkans and conquered Adrianople.
• Alexius, Metropolitan of Kiev — Historical peer (Died in 1378) (1378): Metropolitan of Kiev and all Rus', guiding Muscovite government through turbulent times.
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