Gareth Bezett

So, this essay was worth an A+. It's about the causes and effects of the Avignon Papacy (when the Popes were in France, not Rome) and the Great Western Schism (when there were two or three popes).

The Avignon papacy and the great western schism were both caused, to a significant degree, by the influence and interference of France. Turmoil in Italy prolonged the papacy’s time in Avignon, and a poor choice of pope pushed the church towards schism. With canon law being unclear on the ability to depose pope’s schism became a reality. Both of these important events in the history of the papacy led to a sullied reputation for popes and Church.