The Age of the Great Western Schism #380663

The Great Western Schism was one of the most dramatic crises in the history of the Catholic Church, a period when rival popes divided Christendom and political intrigue threatened the stability of Europe. In The Age of the Great Western Schism, first published in 1896, Clinton Locke delivers a masterful exploration of this turbulent era, unraveling the complex power struggles that shaped the late 14th and early 15th centuries.
     The schism began in 1378 when conflicting claims to the papacy resulted in competing pontiffs in Rome and Avignon, each backed by different factions of European rulers. What followed was a decades-long struggle for legitimacy, with rival popes excommunicating one another, councils failing to restore unity, and the very foundations of the medieval Church thrown into uncertainty. Locke traces the unfolding drama with remarkable clarity, from the origins of the dispute to the attempts at reconciliation that culminated in the Council of Constance and the restoration of a single papal authority.
     More than just a political history, The Age of the Great Western Schism delves into the profound religious and cultural impact of the crisis. The schism weakened the papacy’s moral authority, fueled the growing calls for Church reform, and set the stage for the seismic shifts of the Reformation in the following century. Locke’s account brings to life the figures who shaped this period—popes, kings, theologians, and reformers—offering an insightful analysis of their motivations and the lasting consequences of their actions.
     With its meticulous research and engaging prose, The Age of the Great Western Schism remains an essential resource for understanding one of the most pivotal moments in Church history. This Blackmore Dennett edition revives Locke’s classic work for modern readers, providing a compelling and authoritative study of a time when the unity of Christendom stood on the brink of collapse.