Showing results by author "Mandell Creighton" in All Categories

Volume I of the "History of the Papacy" by the Anglican Lord Bishop of London, Mandell Creighton, deals with the popes, princes, and scholars who dominated the period of the Great Schism. Creighton describes the tumultuous reign of Pope Urban VI, the agitations of the two anti-popes, the efforts to resolve the crisis by the University of Paris, by the mad king of France, and by Wenzel, the alcohol-fuddled Holy Roman Emperor. Eventually, Sigismund deposed his brother, Wenzel, and convened the Council of Constance to resolve the Schism. The author writes that faced with deposition, Pope John ...

Volume Four of Creighton's "History of the Papacy" opens with the election of Pope Paul II, whom the author describes as "a man of handsome appearance, naturally suave and courteous, with all a Venetian's love of splendour." Paul II proved reticent and reclusive and failed to pacify turbulent Bohemia. He was succeeded by Francesco della Rovere, Pope Sixtus IV, with whose election "began a system of personal intrigue which rapidly grew into a serious scandal...and elevated nepotism into a political principle." His nephew, Cardinal Pietro Riario lived a life of dissolute luxury and died young. ...

"The Princess Elizabeth of England was born at Greenwich, between three and four of the afternoon of September 7, 1533. Her birth was a matter of small rejoicing to her parents, who were sorely disappointed that their first-born was not a boy." So begins this short, but stirring biography by the British historian, Mandell Creighton, of the magnificent last monarch of the Tudor dynasty. We see Elizabeth in constant peril during the turbulent and ineffectual reigns of Edward VI and Mary. At her accession, her country is little better than an appendage of the Spanish state. By the end of her ...

Mandell Creighton's history of the Papacy continues in Volume II with the condemnation in 1415 of Jan Hus by the Council of Constance and his death at the stake. His execution ignites civil war in Bohemia. Gregory XII abdicates as pope and the Council elects Oddone Colonna, Pope Martin V. The second Antipope John XXIII is eventually forced to resign, but the wily and stubborn Antipope, Benedict XIII, refuses to abdicate and flees to his native Spain, where he dies in 1423. The scene shifts to Basil, where a second Council has been convened to quell heresy in Bohemia and to reform the Church. ...

In this volume of Creighton's history, the popes conduct themselves as Italian princes. Pope Alexander VI's daughter, Lucretia Borgia, becomes a marital pawn in her father's diplomatic plots, while his son, Cesare, fights ruthlessly for Italian territory. Julius II, as much general as pope, finds time to bully Michelangelo into frescoing the Sistine Chapel. His successor, Leo X intrigues faithlessly among the European powers, oblivious to the threat of Martin Luther's call for reform of the Church in head and members. (Summary by Pamela Nagami, M.D.)

Volume III of this History of the Papacy opens with the Council of Basel in revolt against Pope Eugenius IV, who doggedly defends papal autonomy against the movement for church reform. Dominating this volume is Aeneus Sylvius Piccolomini, Pope Pius II. A world famous author, diplomat, and Renaissance humanist, he dies in Ancona, at the head of a failed crusade. Creighton writes of him, "Weakness and strength are strangely blended; vanity and littleness mix with high purpose and far-reaching plans; but before the eyes of Pius II there floated fitfully a loftier ideal of Christendom than was ...

From the "Twelve English Statesmen," series of books. A brief history of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey who helped shape England's foreign policy through the early part of Henry VIII's reign, and beyond, along with his subsequent fall from grace when he failed to procure the King's divorce. - Summary by cavaet

In Volume I of the History of the Papacy, Anglican Lord Bishop Mandell Creighton takes us on a riveting journey through the chaotic era of the Great Schism. Delve into the tumultuous reign of Pope Urban VI, the intrigues surrounding two rival anti-popes, and the desperate attempts by the University of Paris, the erratic king of France, and the inebriated Holy Roman Emperor Wenzel to resolve the crisis. This gripping narrative culminates in the dramatic deposition of Pope John XIII, who fled the Council of Constance disguised as a common groom, only to be captured and deposed. Join us as we ...

In Volume III of this captivating exploration of the Papacy, we delve into the tumultuous Council of Basel, where Pope Eugenius IV fiercely defends papal autonomy amidst rising calls for church reform. Central to this narrative is Aeneus Sylvius Piccolomini, known as Pope Pius II—a renowned author, diplomat, and Renaissance humanist whose life ended in Ancona while leading a failed crusade. Creighton poignantly observes that within Pius II, Weakness and strength are strangely blended; vanity and littleness mix with high purpose and far-reaching plans. This volume presents a vivid portrayal ...

In Volume III of this captivating exploration of the Papacy, we delve into the tumultuous events surrounding the Council of Basel, where a faction revolts against Pope Eugenius IV, who remains steadfast in his defense of papal autonomy amidst the growing calls for church reform. Central to this narrative is Aeneus Sylvius Piccolomini, known as Pope Pius II—a renowned author, diplomat, and Renaissance humanist. His journey culminates in Ancona, where he meets his end at the forefront of a faltering crusade. As Creighton eloquently states, Pius II embodies a captivating blend of weakness and ...

In Volume I of the captivating History of the Papacy, Anglican Lord Bishop Mandell Creighton delves into the intricate web of popes, princes, and scholars during the tumultuous era of the Great Schism. He explores the controversial reign of Pope Urban VI, the rise of two rival anti-popes, and the various attempts by the University of Paris, the erratic king of France, and the inebriated Holy Roman Emperor Wenzel to resolve the crisis. The narrative culminates in the dramatic deposition of Pope John XIII, who famously fled the Council of Constance disguised as a groom. This volume presents a ...

In Volume II of Mandell Creightons captivating history of the Papacy, we delve into the tumultuous events surrounding the condemnation of Jan Hus by the Council of Constance in 1415, leading to his tragic execution and the ensuing civil war in Bohemia. As Gregory XII abdicates, the Council elects Oddone Colonna, who becomes Pope Martin V. The narrative takes a twist with the resignation of Antipope John XXIII, while the defiant Benedict XIII escapes to Spain, where he meets his end in 1423. The story shifts to Basel, where a second Council aims to address heresy in Bohemia and reform the ...

This podcast dives deep into the life of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey (1473-1530), the Lord Chancellor who met his downfall when he couldnt secure King Henry VIIIs marriage annulment to Catherine of Aragon. Noted British historian, Mandell Creighton, paints Wolsey as a figure condemned by Tudor historians as the minion of the Pope, and the upholder of a foreign despotism. However, an abundance of documents unveiled in the 19th century related to Henry VIIIs reign allowed for a more accurate portrayal of Wolseys ambitious plans and his ingrained patriotism. Through his diligent diplomacy and ...

Mandell Creighton (1843-1901) was an English historian, bishop, and scholar, best known for his work on the history of the Papacy and the Renaissance. Born in Carlisle, England, he studied at Oxford, where he later became a fellow and tutor. Creighton was a meticulous historian who emphasized the importance of understanding historical figures in their context, avoiding anachronistic judgments. He was admired for his intellectual rigor and ability to balance academic and ecclesiastical duties. He was universally mourned at his death in 1901.