Great Schism (jan 6, 1378 – jul 14, 1417)

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After Pope Gregory XI brought the papal court back to France, he died and the Roman citizens pressured the election of a man named Urban VI to be pope. Urban was ruthless, and threatened excommunication of some bishops and cardinals. The Bishops and Cardinals then elected a French pope in France, resulting in two popes. Individuals such as Occam, Marsiglio, Jan Hus and John Wyclif became increasingly critical of the church and focused on individual approaches to religion, which set the foundation for Protestant churches to emerge later. Eventually the Great Council met at Pisa in 1409 to try and resolve the issue, but it only resulted in making the problem worse through the election of a third pope. At the city of Constance from 1414-1418, a council met to wipe out heresy, end the schism and reform the church. Jan Hus was burned at the state, while both the Roman and French popes were removed, and a new pope was selected. However, Church reformation did not happen, and as a result, Lay piety and Protestantism could take root.

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