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The Great Schism and Calls for a Council at Pisa

Type Event Region Western Europe Time 1398–1400

Around 1400, the Western Schism had lasted over twenty years with rival papacies in Rome and Avignon, prompting calls from bishops and universities f…

Timeline

  1. 1398Paris · FranceThe French Estates-General and clergy declared their withdrawal of obedience to Avignon Pope Benedict XIII, arguing that a general council should override papal authority to resolve the schism, establishing an important precedent for the conciliarist movement in church history.
  2. 1399–1400Pisa · TuscanyItalian city-states and church figures actively advocated convening a general council at Pisa to depose or force the two rival popes to abdicate; as an independent commercial republic, Pisa was seen as a suitable neutral venue, and related diplomatic consultations intensified around 1400.
  3. 1400Europe · EuropeBy 1400 the Great Schism remained unresolved, with rival popes in both Rome and Avignon; monarchs and bishops across Europe wavered between the principle of conciliar supremacy and the tradition of papal supremacy, and although the Pisa council plan enjoyed broad support, several more years of diplomatic preparation were needed before it could be realized.

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