ANTIPOPE

One that a umes the title and functions of pope without a valid election. The term more parti* cularly refers to the'popes who maintained themselves in opposition to each other, during part of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. The great western schism was caused by the rival jealousies of the French and Italian parties in the conclave; the French cardinals having been accustomed by their numbers, and the influence of the kings of France, to carry the election in favour of French candidates, while the popes resided at Avignon, a period of about 70 years, from 1305 to 1376. Accordingly, when the Italian party at last succeeded in the election of Urban VI., in 1389, the French cardinals retired from Rome, and there invested with the functions of pope one of their own body, under the title of Clement VII, They attempted, in the first instance, to maintain themselves in Italy, and war was proclaimed between the two rivals. After a short struggle, Clement retreated to Avignon; and there he, and his succe or, Benedict XIII., held their court, while Urban, and after him, Boniface IX. and Gregory XII., reigned at Rome. They were supported respectively by different European states, of which France, Austria, Castile, Aragon, Savoy, Genoa, and Scotland sided with the party of the seceders. The schism, however, caused great scandal throughout Christen dom, and measures were repeatedly taken, and baffled only by the artifices of the rival claimants, for an adjustment of the difference. There seemed to be three methods of proceeding to this end, and each liable to great difficulties: — 1st. By the simultaneous resignation of both pontiffs, and a fresh election. 2tl. By an arbitration between them. And, 3d. By the calling of a general council, to declare the holy see void, and recommend the conclave to fill the vacancy. This last method was finally adopted; though it has been constantly objected, that such a council could not be lawfully convened except by the summons of a reigning pope; which condition certainly was not fulr 60 ANTIQUITIES. filled in the instance of the council of Pisa. However, in 1409, the rival parties were both declared guilty of heresy and schism, and thereby the validity of both claims greatly disproved. Alexander V. was then elected in due form; and the antipopes were unable long to maintain their pretensions against the authority of a general council. [s. 73]