Clement VII — born Robert of Geneva — was elected pope by the French cardinals in 1378 in direct opposition to the Roman pope Urban VI, triggering the Western Schism that would fracture the Church for nearly four decades. His court at Avignon was no rump operation; France, Scotland, Castile, Aragon, and Naples all recognized him as legitimate, making this coinage the currency of a substantial political bloc rather than a pretender's vanity issue.
Robert of Geneva had commanded the Breton mercenaries responsible for the Cesena massacre of 1377 — a fact his opponents never let rest.
Clement VII — born Robert of Geneva — was elected pope by the French cardinals in 1378 in direct opposition to the Roman pope Urban VI, triggering the Western Schism that would fracture the Church for nearly four decades. His court at Avignon was no rump operation; France, Scotland, Castile, Aragon, and Naples all recognized him as legitimate, making this coinage the currency of a substantial political bloc rather than a pretender's vanity issue.
Robert of Geneva had commanded the Breton mercenaries responsible for the Cesena massacre of 1377 — a fact his opponents never let rest.