The measures of Urban were not without vigour, 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 of course, 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 put to flight, 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.
from the 9th edition (1888) of an unnamed encyclopedia.
|
Preceded by: Pope Gregory XI |
List of popes |
Succeeded by: Pope Boniface IX |