Pope Urban VI Urban VI, née Bartolomeo Prignano (ca. 1318 – October 15, 1389), pope (1378 to 1389), was a native of Naples. A devout monk and learned casuist, he became archbishop of Bari in 1377, and, on the death of Gregory XI, the Roman populace clamorously demanding an Italian pope, was unanimously chosen (April 8, 1378) by the French cardinals. The arrogant and imperious temper of the new pope, intoxicated by his unexpected fortune, showed itself in ways so intolerable that five months afterwards the majority of the cardinals met at Fondi, and, repudiating their previous action, proceeded to elect Robert of Geneva (September 20), who assumed the title of Clement VII. Thus began the Great Schism which divided Christendom for nearly forty years. The measures of Urban were not without vigor, but at the same time were characterized by such a want of prudence and self-control as has given rise to the not improbable assertion that he actually was, at times at least, a lunatic. Clement VII was excommunicated, and designated the Antichrist; twenty-six new cardinals were created in a single day, and by an arbitrary alienation of the estates and property of the church, funds were raised for open war. The castle of St Angelo was besieged and taken, and the antipope Clement VII forced to flee, while Charles of Durazzo was invested in the sovereignty of Naples, forfeited by Queen Joanna. Later, Charles began to resist the papal pretensions, and Urban was shut up in Nocera, from the walls of which he daily fulminated his anathemas against his besiegers; he afterwards succeeded in making his escape to Genoa, and on the death of Charles, set himself at the head of his troops, apparently with the intention of seizing Naples for his nephew if not for himself. To raise funds he proclaimed a Jubilee, though only thirty-three years had elapsed since that celebrated under Clement VI, but before the celebration he died at Rome of injuries caused by a fall from his mule, on October 15, 1389. His successor was Boniface IX. Most Popular Articles: Music    Musical Instruments    Guitar    Classical Music    History    Music Definition    Country Music    Rock Music    Pop Music    Hip Hop    Rap    DJ    Video Games    Casino Games    Poker    Blackjack    Casinos    Real Estate    Loan    Auction    eBay    Marketing    Search Engine Optimization    File Sharing    MP3    Music Industry    Kazaa    Internet    Supermodel    Fashion    Fashion Designers    Erotica    Modeling    Clothing    Boots    Shoes    Diamond Engagement Rings    Diamond    Rugs    Gospel Music    Affiliate    E-Commerce    Radio This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License at http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html You may copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license. You must provide a link to http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html To view or edit this article at Wikipedia go to http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Urban_VI