Election
The election of Urban VI is declared null & void
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1378 in Italy
Explore 18 historical events and records for Italy in 1378.
Historical records for Italy in 1378
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August
Western Schism
The Western Schism or Papal Schism was a split within the Roman Catholic Church which lasted from 1378 to 1417. The election of Urban VI is declared null & void
Other events (month unknown)
Avignon Papacy
After Pope Gregory XI died the Romans rioted to ensure the election of a Roman for pope. On April 8, 1378 the cardinals elected a Neapolitan when no viable Roman candidates presented themselves. Urban VI the Archbishop of Bari, was elected.
Avignon Papacy
Many of the cardinals who had elected removed themselves from Rome to Anagni, where, even though Urban was still reigning, they elected Robert of Geneva as a rival Pope. Robert took the name Clement VII and reestablished a papal court in Avignon.
Avignon Papacy
The second election threw the Church into turmoil. There had been Popes before, but most of them had been appointed by rival factions; in this case, a single group of leaders of the Church had created both the Pope and the Pope
Avignon Papacy
Urban had been a respected administrator in the papal chancery at Avignon, but as Pope he proved suspicious, reformist, and prone to violent outbursts of temper.
Death of Gregory XI
Death of Gregory XI
Pope
Appointed Pope
Roman Catholic Church
Assists Pope Urban VI to reform the Church
Western Schism
After Pope Gregory XI died the Romans rioted to ensure the election of a Roman for pope. On April 8, 1378 the cardinals elected a Neapolitan when no viable Roman candidates presented themselves. Urban VI the Archbishop of Bari, was elected.
Western Schism
Many of the cardinals who had elected removed themselves from Rome to Anagni, where, even though Urban was still reigning, they elected Robert of Geneva as a rival Pope. Robert took the name Clement VII and reestablished a papal court in Avignon.
Western Schism
The second election threw the Church into turmoil. There had been Popes before, but most of them had been appointed by rival factions; in this case, a single group of leaders of the Church had created more than one Pope
Western Schism
Urban had been a respected administrator in the papal chancery at Avignon, but as Pope he proved suspicious, reformist, and prone to violent outbursts of temper.
Western Schism
After Pope Gregory XI died the Romans rioted to ensure the election of a Roman for pope. On April 8, 1378 the cardinals elected a Neapolitan when no viable Roman candidates presented themselves. Urban VI the Archbishop of Bari, was elected.
Western Schism
Many of the cardinals who had elected removed themselves from Rome to Anagni, where, even though Urban was still reigning, they elected Robert of Geneva as a rival Pope. Robert took the name Clement VII and reestablished a papal court in Avignon.
Western Schism
The second election threw the Church into turmoil. There had been Popes before, but most of them had been appointed by rival factions; in this case, a single group of leaders of the Church had created both the Pope and the Pope
Western Schism
Urban had been a respected administrator in the papal chancery at Avignon, but as Pope he proved suspicious, reformist, and prone to violent outbursts of temper.
Western Schism
Alienates French Cardinals who elect the Antipope Clement VII at Fondi
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.