Urban VI elected amid Roman riot
April 1378
Roman crowds threatened the cardinals locked in conclave, demanding 'a Roman or at least an Italian.' They chose the irascible Bartolomeo Prignano of Naples. Urban VI immediately set about insulting the very cardinals who had elected him, questioning their moral character and threatening to pack the college. Within months they would denounce his election and run back to Avignon.
In context
Also in 1378 (4 other events on record)
- Western Schism begins with rival pope at Fondi · Europe · Religion
- Ciompi Revolt: Florentine wool workers seize the city · Europe · Politics
- Charles IV dies in Prague · Europe · Politics
- Ming builds the Great Wall's eastern sections · East Asia · Politics
Before and after in Europe
Before and after in Religion
Era
Late Middle Ages (1301–1500), one of 874 events from that era on Saeculum.