Unity, Heresy, and Reform, 1378-1460: The Conciliar Response to the Great Schism (Documents of Medieval History, 3)

The period from 1378 to 1449 saw the consolidation of the Renaissance in Italy and its impact north of the Alps; it also promoted the technical organization and the directing purpose which marked the political states as the leading institutions of modern Europe. For much of that time the leading figures of the Church and representatives of all important principalities, indeed of almost every organization of consequence in Christendom, were brought together for a series of meetings that is known as the Conciliar movement. For months and years at a time they were busy in pursuit of great public issues; and they were just as active in gratifying more selfish aims and pleasures. C.M.D. Crowder presents an account of the genesis and course of the Conciliar movement from its origins in the disquiet and indignation felt in consequence of the Great Schism of 1378. He shows how the councils took upon themselves not only the ending of the schism but also the defense of orthodoxy, the general reform of the Church and the ancient question of reunion with the Greek church. Finally, Professor Crowder analyzes the causes of the failure of the Conciliar movement, torn by internal dissension and unable to match the determined revival of centralism by a series of able and energetic popes. This introduction is followed by a collection of documents, each prefaced by a commentary, that includes official acta, sermons, papal letters and diplomatic despatches. It constitutes an anthology of all the documents central to the Conciliar movement plus a number of less well known items. The documents and introduction together form a unique source book and an informative overview of this significant chapter in the history of western Europe.