Urban VI

the first to ascend the papal chair in the period of the "great schism," was previously named Bartholomew of Prignano, and was a native of the city of Naples. He became archbishop of Bari and followed Gregory XI, April 8, 1378, the people of Rome having demanded an Italian pope. He attempted to reform the many and scandalous abuses which had grown up during the absence of the popes at Avignon, and did not hesitate: to assail even bishops and cardinals; and having offended the clergy, he was unfortunate enough to alienate the good-will of many influential laymen, also, by his haughty and arbitrary manner. The cardinals, therefore, proceeded to elect a new pope on the plea that the election of Urban was not freely made, but was forced on the cardinals by the people. Count Robert of Geneva was the new choice, and he assumed the title of Clement VII; and as Urban retained a large body of adherents, the great schism was at once consummated. Urban was supported by Italy, England, Germany, and Poland. Queen Joanna of Naples and Sicily had acknowledged him, but was driven into an alliance with Clement by his pride and obstinacy; and he thereupon induced the heir to her throne, duke Charles of Durazzo, to invade her territories. Soon afterwards he quarreled with Charles also, and excommunicated that prince. The cardinals, who had conspired with Charles against him, were imprisoned and tortured, aid, after a time, five of them were put to death. To Ladislaus, the heir of Charles, Urban denied the possession of Naples, claiming that it was a papal fief, and he organized an expedition to defend his claim; but when his soldiers deserted his standard, he returned to Rome, October, 1388, and employed himself thenceforward more especially with ecclesiastical affairs. He ordered that the Jubilee should be observed once every thirty-three years, and that its next celebration should take place in 1390. He also introduced the Feast of the Visitation of Mary, and decreed that divine worship might be celebrated on Corpus Christi Day, even during the enforcement of an interdict. He died Oct. 15, 1389, as many supposed, of poison. See Mansi, p. 609; Gieseler, p. 132 sq.; Herzog, Real-Encyklop. s.v.