cropped the grass on their very altars. That the Faithful were no longer attracted to Rome, either by devotion, which the profanation of the churches precluded, or by interest; since the Pope, the source of patronage, had scandalously deserted his church-so that there was danger, lest that unfortunate city should be reduced to a vast and frightful solitude, and become an outcast from the world, of which it was still the spiritual empress, as it once had been the temporal. Lastly, that, as the only remedy for these evils, it was absolutely necessary to elect a Roman, or at least an Italian Pope-especially as there was every appearance that the people, if disappointed in their just expectation, would have recourse to compulsion. . The Cardinals replied, that as soon as they should be in conclave they would give to those subjects their solemn deliberation, and direct their choice according to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. They repelled the notion, that they could be influenced by any popular menace; and pronounced (according to one account) an express warning, that if they should be compelled to elect under such circumstances, the elected would not be a pope, but an intruder *. They then immediately entered into conclave. at Rome. In the meantime the populace, who had already exhibited proofs of impatience, and whom the answer of the cardinals was not The Conclave well calculated to satisfy, assembled in great crowds about the place of assembly. It may be true (though the cir cumstances rest for the most part on French and partial authority), that the civil magistrates had previously possessed themselves of the keys of the gates, which were usually confided to ecclesiastical officers, in order to preclude the escape of the cardinals to a more secure place of deliberation; that in the room of the ordinary police they introduced a number of Montanarii, the wild and lawless inhabitants of the adjacent mountains, who paraded the streets in arms by day and by night; that a quantity of dry reeds and other combustibles was heaped together under the windows of the conclave, with threats of conflagration; that, at the moment when the College was proceeding to election, the bells of the Capitol and St. Peter's were sounded to arms †-these, and other circumstances of direct constraint and intimidation, are asserted by some writers, and though probably exaggerated, have undoubtedly some foundation in truth. But it is without any dispute, that a vast crowd of people continued in tumultuous assemblage during the whole deliberation of the conclave, and that the debates of the Sacred College were incessantly interrupted by one loud and unanimous shout-Romano lo volemo lo Papa-Romano lo volemo-o almanco almanco Italiano!'- We will have a Roman for Pope-a Roman, or at least, at the very least, an Italian!' Let us now inquire, whether the College was then so constituted, as to make it likely that its free choice would have fallen upon a Roman, or even an Italian. Of the sixteen cardinals in conclave, eleven were French, one, Pietro di Luna, a Spaniard, and four Italians. The unanimity of the French would, of course, at once have decided the question; but it happened that they were divided into two parties. Seven amongst them were Limousins, natives of the same province; and having succeeded * ' Quam si facerent, eos ex nunc avisaverunt, quod si ex ejus occasione aliquem eligerent ille non esset papa sed intrusus.'-Aut. Vit. Greg. XI. ap. Bosquet. Maimb., Hist. du Grand Schisme, liv. i. Ad sturnum, according to the Roman expression of that time, during the last twenty-nine years, in electing four successive popes from their own country, they were naturally eager to keep possession of so profitable a distinction. But the other four, unwilling to appropriate the pontificate to a single district, even though that district was French, designed that the choice should fall on one of themselves. The Limousins found in their superior numbers their hope of success and their excuse for perseverance; and at length the others, being more keenly excited by provincial than by national jealousy, began to turn their thoughts to a coalition with the Italians. These last were equally bent on the election of one of their own party; and as their only chance of success arose from the division of the French, they very readily joined their forces against the exclusive ambition of the Limousins. Such were the intrigues which commenced immediately after the death of Gregory, and ripened during the eleven days which followed; and such was probably † the state of parties when the cardinals entered the conclave. There were materials in abundance for long and angry dissension; and though the indignation of the Limousins against their compatriots might finally have forced their consent to the election of an Italian, rather than a native of any other French province, still it was not without a struggle, that they were likely to forego the courtly magnificence of Avignon, to which a French pontiff would surely have restored them, for a remote and tumultuous residence among the citizens of Rome. But the internal disputes of the College were speedily silenced by the tempest from without. Even after the sacred body had been shut up in deliberation, the Bannerets, or heads of the twelve regions of the city, forced themselves, together with their disorderly followers, in contempt of custom and decency, into the recesses of the conclave. Here they repeated their demands with redoubled insolence, and direct menaces. The cardinals are recorded to have returned their former reply, with the additional declaration, that in case any violence were used, he, whom they should so elect, and whom the people would take for a real pope, would in fact be no pope at all. The people received this answer with indignant clamours§; the disorder round the chapel augmented; the most frightful threats were uttered in case of hesitation or disobedience; and the same shout, which was indeed the burden of the uproar, continued to penetrate the conclave A Roman for our pope! a Roman-or at least, at the very least, an Italian!' * Gregory XI. died on the 27th of March, and the cardinals entered into conclave on the 7th of April. Fleury (liv. xcvii. s. xlviii.) seems persuaded that there was some secret understanding in favour of the Archbishop of Bari (who was afterwards elected) even before the cardinals entered into conclave. But the view of Maimbourg is more probable, that so wide a division, with so many opposite interests and passions, was not so easily reconciled, Ista verba manifestè sonant minas; et ideo expressè nos dicimus, quod, si per vos aut ipsos aliqua contra nos attententur, et contingat nos talium occasione et timore aliquem eligere, credetis habere papam et non habebitis, quia non erit.'-Vita Greg. XI. ap. Baluzium. § One of the cardinals addressed them from the window:- State a pace-perchè i Signori Cardinali dicono cosi, che domani faranno dire una messa dello Spirito Santo, e poi faranno che voi sarete contenti.' Qui vero Romani maledicti tunc responderunt sic'No-mò lo volemo, mò.' Et interim ridebant inter se, et unus faciebat alteri signum, ut plus clamarent ut supra. In circuitu item Conclavi erat maxima multitudo cum caboris et flautis, et eodem modo clamabant fortiter juxta posse'.-Vita (secunda) Greg. XI. apud Baluzium. We should observe, however, that this is not the description of a sanguinary mob. Election of These were not circumstances for delay or deliberation. If any inclination towards the choice of an Italian had previously existed in the college, it was now confirmed into necessity; and on the very day following their retirement the cardinals were agreed in their election. Howbeit, they studiously passed over the four Italian members of their own body, and casting their eyes beyond the conclave, selected a Neapolitan named Bartolomeo Prignano, the Archbishop of Bari. The announcement was not immediately published, probably through the fear of popular dissatisfaction, because a Roman had not been created; and presently, when the impatience of the people still further increased, the Bishop of Marseilles went to the window, and said to them, Go to St. Peter's, and you shall learn the decision.' Whereupon some who heard him, understanding that the Cardinal of St. Peter's, a Roman, had been indeed chosen, rushed to the palace of that prelate, and plundered it-for such was the custom then invariably observed on the election of a pope. Others thronged in great multitudes to offer him their salutations; and then they bore him away to St. Peter's, and placed him, according to ancient usage, upon the altar. It was in vain that the good cardinal, enfeebled by extreme old age and painful disease, disclaimed the title, and trembled at the honours that were forced on him. I am not pope,' said he; and I will not be antipope. The Archbishop of Bari, who is really chosen, is worthier than I.' They ascribed his resistance to modesty or decent dissimulation, and continued through the whole day to overwhelm him with the most painful proofs of their joy. In the meantime the other cardinals escaped from the conclave in great disorder and trepidation, without dignity or attendants, or even their ordinary habiliments of office, and sought safety, some in their respective palaces, and others in the Castle of St. Angelo, or even beyond the walls of the city. On the following day, the people were undeceived; and as they showed no strong disinclination for the master who had been really chosen for them, the Archbishop of Bari was solemnly enthroned, and the scattered cardinals reappeared, and rallied round him in confidence and security. The archbishop's exalted reputation justified the choice of the college, and secured the obedience of the people. Through a long life, devoted to the service of the Church, he had reconciled the most ardent disposition with the most devout humility, and improved by assiduous study a powerful comprehension. He submitted to the utmost severity of ecclesiastical discipline; yet his deep and dangerous enthusiasm did not close his mind against the liberal pursuit of learning, and the patronage of learned men. His zeal for the Church was not stained by the suspicion of bigotry, nor inconsistent with a stern opposition to its abuses; and among many other virtues, he was perhaps chiefly famed for the rigorous exercise of justice. Such was the character to which Rome looked with sanguine hope for the repair of her declining fortunes; nor was it, indeed, without the general approbation of Christendom, that Urban VI. ascended the apostolical chair. The cardinals sent the customary communications to the courts of Europe of the free and canonical election which they had made †, and peaceably assumed their official stations about the person of the pontiff. Recesserunt pedes, unus sine Capa, alter cum Capa, alter sine Capucio, soli, sine sociis scutiferis.-Vit. Greg. XI. ap. Baluz. A similar announcement was made to the six cardinals remaining at Avignon, who immediately recognized the new pope. The ceremony of coronation was duly performed, and several bishops were assembled on the very following day at vespers in the pontifical chapel, when the Pope unexpectedly His harshness. addressed them in the bitterest language of reproba tion. He accused them of having deserted and betrayed the flocks which God had confided to them, in order to revel in luxury at the court of Rome; and he applied to their offence the harsh reproach of perjury. One of them (the Bishop of Pampeluna) repelled the charge, as far as himself was concerned, by reference to the duties which he performed at Rome; the others suppressed in silence their anger and confusion. A few days afterwards, at a public consistory, Urban repeated his complaints and denunciations, and urged them still more generally in the presence of his whole court. In a long and intemperate harangue, he arraigned the various vices of the prelates-their simony, their injustice, their exactions, their scandalous luxury, with a number of other offences-in unmeasured and uncompromising expressions; and while he spared no menace to give weight to his censure, he directed the sharpest of his shafts against the cardinals themselves.... There is not any dispute, that his violence proceeded from an honest zeal for the reformation of the Church; but the end was marred by the passionate indiscretion, with which he pursued it. The consistory broke up; and the members carried away with them no sense of the iniquities imputed, no disposition to correct their habits or their principles, but only indignation, mixed with some degree of fear, against a severe and dis courteous censor The cardinals continued, notwithstanding, their attendance at the Vatican for a few weeks longer, and then, as was usual on the approach of the summer heats, they withdrew from the city, with the pope's permission, and retired to Anagni. The four Italians alone remained at Rome. The others were no sooner removed from the immediate inspection of Urban, than they commenced, or at least more boldly pursued, their measures to overthrow him. On the one hand, they opened a direct correspondence with the court of France and university of Paris ; on the other, they took into their service a body of mercenaries, commanded by one Bernard de la Sale, a Gascon; and then they no longer hesitated to treat the election of Urban as null, through the violence which had attended it §. To give consequence to this decision, they assembled with great * "Nullo reprehensionibus modo imposito."-Ciacconius. "Hunc et posteris diebus, cessante jam metu, venerari ut pontificem perseverârunt. Sed fuit in illo homine natura inquieta et dura; et tunc præter spem ad tantæ dignitatis fastigium sublevatus intolerabilis videbatur. Nulla patribus gratia, quod se potissimùm delegissent, nulla humanitas, nulla conciliatio animorum. Contumax, et minabundus, et asper malebat videri, et metui potius quam diligi. Ea perversitas Patres coegit metu et indignatione aliorsum respicere. Itaque clam inter se de electione conquesti," &c.-Leonardus Aretinus, Histor. Florent., lib. viii. ad finem. Leonardus was himself personally attached to the popes of that succession. By some the character of Urban is compared to that of Boniface VIII. Baluzius, the organ of the French opinion, represents him as a very monster-"Cujus electio facta arte diabolica." This learned and now influential body was courted with equal assiduity by Urban. In a letter addressed to it on this same occasion, that pontiff compared it to a constella tion irradiating every other academy; to a fountain whence the purest doctrine perennially flowed; to a tree bearing excellent fruit. See Spondanus, Ann. 1378, s. xviii. There exists a letter written during that crisis by Marsilius d'Inghen, ancient Rector of the University of Paris, who happened to be residing with Urban at that time. His description of affairs is such as we have given. See Fleury, 1. 97, s. 52. Clement VII. elected at Fondi. solemnity in the principal church, and promulgated, on the 9th of August, a public declaration, in the presence of many prelates and other ecclesiastics, by which the Archbishop of Bari was denounced an intruder into the pontificate, and his election formally cancelled. They then retired, for greater security, to Fondi, in the kingdom of Naples. Still they did. not venture to proceed to a new election in the absence, and it might be against the consent, of their Italian brethren. A negociation was accordingly opened; and these last immediately fell into the snare, which treachery had prepared for ambition. To each of them separately a secret promise was made in writing, by the whole of their colleagues, that himself should be the object of their choice. Each of them believed what he wished; and concealing from each other their private expectations, they pressed to Fondi with joy and confidence. The College immediately entered into conclave; and, as the French had, in the meantime, reconciled their provincial jealousies, Robert, the Cardinal of Geneva, was chosen by their unanimous vote. This event took place on the 20th of September (1378); the new pope assumed the name of Clement VII., and was installed with the customary ceremonies. Robert of Geneva was of noble birth, and even allied to several of the sovereigns of Europe. He possessed talents and eloquence, a courage which was never daunted, and a resolution which was never diverted or wearied. Little scrupulous as to means, in his habits sumptuous and prodigal, he seemed the man most likely to establish his claims to a disputed crown, and to unite the courts of Christendom in his favour. His age, besides, which did not exceed thirty-six, gave promise of a vigorous and decisive policy. Nevertheless, his first endeavours had very little success. It was in vain, that the sacred college sent forth its addresses to princes and their subjects, detailing all that had occurred at Rome, Anagni, and Fondi, and protesting against the violence, which occasioned the illegal election of Urban. It was argued, on the other hand, that the Cardinals had assisted at the subsequent ceremonies of enthronement and coronation; that they had announced their choice in the usual language to all the courts of Europe; that they had continued their personal attendance on the Pope for some weeks afterwards, and had even allowed four months to elapse, before they withdrew their obedience. Besides which, many, no doubt, were well pleased to see the chief of their church restored to his legitimate residence ; they disliked the irregular influence of the Freuch, and were glad to shake off their spiritual usurpation. In truth, the reasons, which were advanced with such ardour and obstinacy on both sides, were not perfectly conclusive for either; and though it is certain that the election was conducted under some degree of intimidation, the subsequent acqui *In this document, the cardinals, after describing the tumults of the Romans, declared, that they elected the Archbishop of Bari in the persuasion that, seeing the circumstances under which he was chosen, he would in conscience have refused the pontificate; that on the contrary, forgetful of his salvation, and burning with ambition, he consented to the choice; that under the effect of the same intimidation, he was enthroned and crowned, and assumed the name of pope, though he rather merited that of apostate and Antichrist. They then anathematized him as an usurper, and invoked against him all aids and succours, divine and human. They were now reduced to three, by the death of the Cardinal of St. Peter's. Sismondi (Repub. Ital., ch. 1.) does not consider the choice of the Cardinals to have been decided by the tumult of the people, because after all they did not elect a Roman, and therefore incurred some danger even by that compromise with their independence. |