The Babylonian Captivity,
the Great Schism, and the
Hundred Years’ War
The “Babylonian Captivity”
1309-1376
* The Catholic Church and the monarchies of Europe were
at odds since the 13th century
- They would fight over land, policies, and control
• Philip the Fair of France pressured Pope Clement V to
relocate the papal residence to an area called Avignon
(SE France) so that he could control the church and its
policies.
- About 70 years
• Called the “Babylonian Captivity” to make reference to
the ancient Hebrews and their captivity in Mesopotamian
Babylon
Problems….
• Many Christians were opposed to the papacy’s
distance from its roots in Rome
• Many felt the Church was too focused on
policies and not enough on spiritual matters
• Rome became poor over the absence of the
pope and the tourist trade
• Pope Gregory XI returned the papacy to Rome
in 1377, but died shortly after
• The Roman citizens demanded that an Italian
pope become Gregory’s successor
• This led to…..
….The Great Schism
1378-1417
• The College of Cardinals felt great pressure to
elect an Italian to be the next pope
• They elect Pope Urban VI in 1378
• Pope Urban planned to reform the Church of its
abuses
• Brought the papal seat back to Rome
• While Urban had good intentions, he went about
it the wrong way by threatening many people!
More Problems…
• Pope Urban’s actions brought about disaster as
many French cardinals disputed his legitimacy
as pope
• They elected Pope Clement VII, a relative of
King Charles V of France who would live in
Avignon
• There are now 2 popes, hence the “Great
Schism”- or division
• Many countries threw their support for one pope
or the other based on political motivations
• The schism weakened the faith of many
Christians and they questioned the Church
The Conciliar Movement
• The schism of the Catholic Church led many
Christians to question its authority.
• Many called for reform in the Church.
• The Conciliarists believed that the pope should
gain his political power from the people, not from
a king (democratic thought)
• Scholars like John Wyclif & Jan Hus believed
that the Church should only be concerned with
the Scriptures and Christian teachings
An End to the Schism
• In 1409, the Council of Pisa, consisting of
cardinals from both Rome and Avignon deposed
the 2 reigning popes and elected a new one
• The 2 previous popes would not step down,
there were now 3 popes!
• The Council of Constance was then called
(1414-1418) and all 3 popes were deposed.
Martin V, a Roman, became pope.
• The “Great Schism” was over. Future popes
would never again have the power of those
before them.
Question?
• Write a paragraph responding to the
prompt below:
Explain the connections between the
Babylonian Captivity and the Great
Schism.
The Hundred Years’ War
1337-1453
• #1 Cause: Succession to the throne of France.
Edward III vs. Philip VI
• Edward III of England’s uncle in France died
childless
• Edward had the right to the French throne, but
the French nobles gave the throne to a distant
relative, Philip VI
• Edward III and Philip VI dispute became the
basis for the Hundred Years’ War
• England and France have been historic enemies
England’s Victories
• England gained early victories:
– Led by Edward III and his son, the Black
Prince
– Won important battles at Crecy (1346),
Poitiers (1356), Agincourt (1415)
– Formed an alliance with the Burgundians
France’s Victories
• France will officially win the war in 1453
• Joan of Arc (1412-1431) emerges during this
period
–
–
–
–
She is given command of an army & lifts the morale
Believed she was chosen by God for this mission
Dresses like a man in battle. Scandalous!
Burned at the stake by the English in 1431 for being a
“witch”
Results of the War
• Added death and destruction (aside from what
the Black Plague did)
• Heavy taxes led to peasant revolts
• England lost £5 million to the war
• Representative democracies emerge throughout
Europe during this time period. The English
Parliament grows stronger. Not in France
• Nationalism develops: Feelings of unity and
pride in your country
• The rise of intelligent thought through the
upcoming Renaissance time period
Edward II & Edward III