Robert of Geneva

Robert Of Geneva, antipope against Urban VI and Boniface IX, was the son of count Amadeus of Geneva. He was chosen by the French cardinals, who asserted that the election in Rome at which Urban VI was successful had not been free, and he reigned at Avignon under the title of CLEMENT VII from Sept. 21, 1378, to Sept. 26, 1394. He was recognized by France, Naples, Castile, Aragon, Navarre, Scotland, Lorraine, and Cyprus, while the other nations of Europe preferred the claims of Urban. This schism in the Church gave rise to serious complications in the intercourse of nations. The popes anathematized each other, and Urban especially caused a crusade against France and his rival to be preached in England, and had the death penalty inflicted on a number of the cardinals who had conspired to dethrone him.

The election of Boniface IX in 1389 protracted the schism in all its bitterness, until the Sorbonne decided that both popes ought to resign, and that a compromise should be effected by means of arbitrators or a council of the Church. Clement was so affected by this decision that he died of apoplexy (Sept. 26, 1394). The peace desired was not, however, finally reached until 1428.