On This Day
·

Pope Gregory XI moves the Papacy back to Rome from Avignon

Pope Gregory XI (Latin: Gregorius XI; born Pierre Roger de Beaufort; c. 1329 – 27 March 1378) was head of the Catholic Church from 30 December 1370 to his death, in March 1378.

Pope Gregory XI (Latin: Gregorius XI; born Pierre Roger de Beaufort; c. 1329 – 27 March 1378) was head of the Catholic Church from 30 December 1370 to his death, in March 1378. He was the seventh and last Avignon pope and the most recent French pope. In 1377, Gregory XI returned the papal court to Rome, ending nearly 70 years of papal residency in Avignon, in modern-day France. His death was swiftly followed by the Western Schism involving two Avignon-based antipopes.

Historical Significance

Pope Gregory XI (Latin: Gregorius XI; born Pierre Roger de Beaufort; c.

Events Before

  1. BC Solar eclipse (2m 07s) seen at Ugarit by Mesopotamian astronomers "On the day of the new moon, in the month of Hiyar,

    BC Solar eclipse (2m 07s) seen at Ugarit by Mesopotamian astronomers "On the day of the new moon, in the month of Hiyar, the Sun was put to shame, and went down in the daytime, with Mars in attendance."

  2. West Frisian seawall breaks, flooding the northern Netherlands

    West Frisian seawall breaks, flooding the northern Netherlands

  3. English "Good Parliament" begins meeting in London, will sit till 10th July, then the longest-sitting English parliament

    English "Good Parliament" begins meeting in London, will sit till 10th July, then the longest-sitting English parliament

  4. English "Good Parliament" ends, longest-sitting parliament at that time

    English "Good Parliament" ends, longest-sitting parliament at that time

  5. Edward the Black Prince dies

    Edward the Black Prince heir of the english throne, known for heir of the english throne, died on 1376-06-08.

Events After

  1. Earliest record in Durham, England of 'Plough Monday', the first Monday after the Feast of Epiphany (Jan 6) when agricul

    Earliest record in Durham, England of 'Plough Monday', the first Monday after the Feast of Epiphany (Jan 6) when agricultural work could restart

  2. Bartolomeo Prignano is elected as Pope Urban VI

    Pope Urban VI (Latin: Urbanus VI; Italian: Urbano VI; c. 1318 – 15 October 1389), born Bartolomeo Prignano, was head of the Catholic Church from 8 April 1378 to his death, in October 1389.

  3. French cardinals meet in Anagni and declare the election of Pope Urban VI invalid

    French cardinals meet in Anagni and declare the election of Pope Urban VI invalid

  4. London's Westminster Abbey is desecrated when Robert Hauley is murdered during High Mass attempting to seek sanctuary af

    London's Westminster Abbey is desecrated when Robert Hauley is murdered during High Mass attempting to seek sanctuary after escaping the Tower of London. The Abbey is closed for four months. [1]

  5. Robert of Geneva, known as the "Butcher of Cesena," is elected Antipope Clement VII

    Robert of Geneva (French: Robert de Genève; 1342 – 16 September 1394) was elected to the papacy as Clement VII (French: Clément VII) by the cardinals who opposed Pope Urban VI and was the first...

More from the 1370s

Anglo-Portuguese Treaty of Perpetual Alliance (world's oldest still in existence) is signed in London between King Edwar

Anglo-Portuguese Treaty of Perpetual Alliance (world's oldest still in existence) is signed in London between King Edward III of England and King Ferdinand I of Portugal [1]

English Prince John of Gaunt marries Constance of Castile (17), heir of Peter of Castile and Leon

John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, was an English prince, military leader and statesman. He was the fourth son of King Edward III, and the father of King Henry IV.

Earliest record in Durham, England of 'Plough Monday', the first Monday after the Feast of Epiphany (Jan 6) when agricul

Earliest record in Durham, England of 'Plough Monday', the first Monday after the Feast of Epiphany (Jan 6) when agricultural work could restart

Mass execution of population (between 2,500 and 5,000) of Cesena, Italy, by Breton troops of Giovanni Acuto under the co

Mass execution of population (between 2,500 and 5,000) of Cesena, Italy, by Breton troops of Giovanni Acuto under the command of Robert, Cardinal of Geneva, acting as the legate of Pope Gregory XI

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on January 17, 1377?
Pope Gregory XI (Latin: Gregorius XI; born Pierre Roger de Beaufort; c. 1329 – 27 March 1378) was head of the Catholic Church from 30 December 1370 to his death, in March 1378. He was the seventh and last Avignon pope and the most recent French pope.
Why is Pope Gregory XI moves the Papacy back to Rome from Avignon significant?
Pope Gregory XI (Latin: Gregorius XI; born Pierre Roger de Beaufort; c.

Explore More

January 17 in HistoryYear 1377