On This Day
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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...

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 antipope residing in Avignon, France. His election led to the Western Schism.

The son of Amadeus III, Count of Geneva, Robert became Archbishop of Cambrai and was made a cardinal in 1371. As legate, during the War of the Eight Saints, he is said to have authorized the massacre of over 2,000 civilians at Cesena in 1377. He was elected pope the following year by the cardinals who opposed Urban VI and established himself at Avignon.

Historical Significance

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 antipope residing in Avignon, France.

Events Before

  1. 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.

  2. 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

  3. Pope Gregory XI issues five papal bulls to denounce the doctrines of English theologian John Wycliffe

    John Wycliffe (also spelled Wyclif, Wickliffe, Wicklyf etc.; c. 1328 – 31 December 1384) was an English scholastic philosopher, Christian reformer, Catholic priest, and a theology professor at the...

  4. French raid on Rye, England

    French raid on Rye, England

  5. Foundation stone laid for Ulm Minster, in Free Imperial City of Ulm, Holy Roman Empire, construction is not completed un

    Foundation stone laid for Ulm Minster, in Free Imperial City of Ulm, Holy Roman Empire, construction is not completed until 1890, when it becomes the tallest church in the world

Events After

  1. First War of the Guelderian Succession ends when Matilda and the Heeckerens are defeated by the Duchy of Jülich, forcing

    First War of the Guelderian Succession ends when Matilda and the Heeckerens are defeated by the Duchy of Jülich, forcing her to resign her rights to the Duchy of Guelders to her half-sister Maria's son, William

  2. Treaty of Neuberg splits the Austrian Habsburg lands between the Habsburg Dukes Albert III and Leopold III

    Treaty of Neuberg splits the Austrian Habsburg lands between the Habsburg Dukes Albert III and Leopold III

  3. Battle of Kulikovo: Moscow's great monarch Dmitry defeats the Mongols, beginning the decline of the Tatars

    Battle of Kulikovo: Moscow's great monarch Dmitry defeats the Mongols, beginning the decline of the Tatars

  4. Thomas of Buckingham's invasion army lands on Calais

    Thomas of Buckingham's invasion army lands on Calais

  5. Richard II in England meets leaders of the Peasants' Revolt on Blackheath. The Tower of London is stormed by rebels who

    Richard II in England meets leaders of the Peasants' Revolt on Blackheath. The Tower of London is stormed by rebels who enter without resistance.

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

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on September 20, 1378?
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 antipope residing in Avignon, France. His election led to the Western Schism. The son of Amadeus III, Count of Geneva, Robert became Archbishop of Cambrai and was made a cardinal in 1371.
Why is Robert of Geneva, known as the "Butcher of Cesena," is elected Antipope Cleme... significant?
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 antipope residing in Avignon, France.

Explore More

September 20 in HistoryYear 1378