1377

Definition

The year 1377 is significant in the context of the Avignon Papacy and the Great Schism, marking a turning point in the Catholic Church's history as it saw the return of the papacy to Rome after nearly 70 years in Avignon. This shift not only symbolized a resurgence of papal authority but also contributed to the ongoing conflicts within the Church, setting the stage for future disputes over papal legitimacy and influence, which were crucial in the lead-up to the Great Schism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In 1377, Pope Gregory XI made the decisive move to return the papacy from Avignon to Rome, ending the Avignon Papacy.
2. This year marked a significant moment for Italian nationalism as many believed that the papacy should reside in its historical home of Rome.
3. The return to Rome was met with mixed reactions, including resistance from those who had benefitted from the papacy's presence in Avignon.
4. Pope Gregory XI's death in 1378 led directly to the election of Urban VI and subsequently sparked the Great Schism.
5. The events of 1377 laid a foundation for future conflicts within the Church regarding who held legitimate papal authority, influencing religious and political dynamics throughout Europe.

Review Questions

• How did Pope Gregory XI's decision in 1377 impact the Catholic Church's authority and structure?
  • Pope Gregory XI's return to Rome in 1377 was pivotal for reinforcing papal authority as it symbolized a break from the contentious period of the Avignon Papacy. This decision aimed to restore faith among followers who viewed Rome as the true center of Christianity. However, it also created tensions within the Church, setting up conflicts regarding legitimacy that would erupt into the Great Schism shortly thereafter.
• Discuss how the events of 1377 contributed to the onset of the Great Schism in 1378.
  • The return of Pope Gregory XI to Rome in 1377 created a power vacuum after his death, leading to competing factions within the Church. Urban VI's controversial election and his subsequent unpopularity prompted dissenters to elect a rival pope, Clement VII, which marked the beginning of the Great Schism. The schism highlighted deep divisions within Christendom regarding loyalty and allegiance to competing popes.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the decisions made around 1377 on European politics and religion.
  • The decisions made around 1377 had profound long-term consequences on European politics and religion by fracturing papal authority and creating lasting divisions within Christianity. The Great Schism not only weakened the Church's influence but also set off waves of political realignment as different nations supported different popes. This period of instability paved the way for future reform movements and laid essential groundwork for changes in religious practices leading into the Renaissance and Reformation eras.

Related terms

Avignon Papacy: The period from 1309 to 1377 when seven successive popes resided in Avignon, France, rather than Rome, leading to questions about papal authority and legitimacy.

Great Schism: A division within the Catholic Church that began in 1378, resulting in multiple claimants to the papacy and significant political and spiritual turmoil across Europe.

Papal Authority: The spiritual and administrative power of the pope over the Catholic Church, which was contested during the Avignon Papacy and further complicated by the Great Schism.