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Clement
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Clement VIII, hammered copper bust, early 17th century; in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Quick Facts
Original name:
Gil Sánchez Muñoz
Died:
December 28, 1446, Majorca
Title / Office:
antipope (1423-1429)
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Clement VIII, hammered copper bust, early 17th century; in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Clement VIII, hammered copper bust, early 17th century; in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Clement

antipope
Also known as: Gil Sánchez Muñoz
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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History

Clement (VIII) (born, Spain—died December 28, 1446, Majorca) was an antipope from 1423 to 1429.

Sánchez was chosen to succeed Antipope Benedict XIII. Refusing to recognize the Roman pope Martin V during the Western Schism, Benedict created his own cardinals, who, through the influence of King Alfonso V of Aragon, chose Sánchez at the castle of Peñíscola, in Valencia, as Clement VIII on June 20, 1423. Benedict’s cardinal Jean Carrier vehemently opposed the choice, declaring Sánchez vile and his election invalid. Clement postponed his coronation until May 19, 1426.

Alfonso despised Martin and used Clement against him. When Alfonso was later reconciled with Martin, however, the defenseless Clement abdicated on July 26, 1429, revoked all his decrees, and set forth his case: he established his acceptance of his election as the only hope to secure church peace and stressed that his abdication was his choice only. He asked the church to recognize Benedict’s validity, or else his own election and abdication would be without purpose. After retiring to San Mateo, he had his cardinals acknowledge Martin as pope, thus ending the Western Schism. Absolved from censure and reconciled with the church, Sánchez was elected bishop of Majorca.

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