Alexander V | |
|---|---|
 Miniature of Alexander V in theNuremberg Chronicle, 1493 | |
| Papacy began | 26 June 1409 |
| Papacy ended | 3–4 May 1410 |
| Predecessor | Gregory XII |
| Successor | Antipope John XXIII |
| Opposed to |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | Petros Philargos c. 1339 |
| Died | 3–4 May 1410 (aged 70–71) |
| Nationality | Greek |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Coat of arms | .svg) |
| Other popes and antipopes named Alexander | |
Peter of Candia, also known asPeter Phillarges (Greek:Πέτρος Φιλάργης) (c. 1339 – 3 May 1410),denominatedAlexander V (Latin:Alexander PP.V;Italian:Alessandro V), was anantipope elected by theCouncil of Pisa during theWestern Schism (1378–1417). He invalidly reigned briefly from 26 June 1409 to his death in 1410, in opposition to the trueRoman PopeGregory XII and the Avignon antipopeBenedict XIII. In the 20th century, theCatholic Church reinterpreted theWestern Schism by recognising the Roman Popes of the period as legitimate. The pontificate of Gregory XII was thus recognized to extend to 1415, and Alexander V was and is now recognized as an antipope.
Peter was born near modernNeapoli inCrete, then subject to theRepublic of Venice, in 1339.[1] Born into a Greek family, he was baptised Pietro Filargo, but is often known asPietro di Candia andPeter Philarges.[1] Italian Franciscans raised him after being orphaned in his youth.[2]
Peter entered theFranciscan order, and his abilities were such that he was sent to study at the Universities ofOxford andParis. While he was in Paris theWestern Schism occurred. Peter supportedPope Urban VI (1378–89). He became an adviser to Giangaleazzo Visconti, the Duke of Milan, and for almost ten years, Peter was prime minister to Galeatus and his son.[2] He returned toLombardy, where, thanks to the favour ofGiangaleazzo Visconti, Peter became bishop, first ofPiacenza (1386), then ofVicenza (1387), then ofNovara (1389), and finallyArchbishop of Milan (1402).[1]Pope Innocent VII (1404–1406) elevated him ascardinal in 1405.[2]
At the Council of Pisa (from 25 March 1409), the assembled cardinals invalidly elected Peter to the Supreme Pontificate, which they had declared vacant. Therefore, he was also invalidly coronated on 26 June 1409 asAlexander V, rendering him the third rival claimant to the Papal office. Following his election, most polities in Europe recognised him as the true Pope, except the Kingdoms ofAragon andScotland, which remained loyal to the Avignon claimant, and some Italian states, which recognized the Roman Pope.[3]
During his invalid reign of 10 months, Alexander's object was to extend obedience to him with the assistance of France and, notably,Duke Louis II of Anjou, upon whom he conferred theinvestiture of theKingdom of Sicily, having deprivedLadislaus of Naples of it. He proclaimed and promised rather than effected many reforms: abandonment of the rights of "spoils" and "procurations", and the re-establishment of the system ofcanonical election in the cathedral churches and principal monasteries.[4] He also generously granted Papal favours, from which themendicant orders benefitted especially.
Alexander suddenly died while he was with Cardinal Baldassare Cossa inBologna on the night of 3–4 May 1410. His remains were placed in theChurch of St. Francis in Bologna. A rumour, though now considered false, spread that Cardinal Cossa, who succeeded him asAntipope John XXIII (1410–5), poisoned him.[5]
The Popes' drinking society atGreyfriars,University of Oxford, is traditionally held to have been founded by Peter during his time at the University. With the closure of Greyfriars in 2008, the society is now populated mainly by students ofRegent's Park College, Oxford.[6]
Previously, the Catholic Church considered the pontificate of Pope Gregory XII to have ended in 1409 with the election of Alexander V. In 1958,Pope St. John XXIII selected the regnal number XXIII, citing "twenty-two Johns of indisputable legitimacy."[7] Because the previous "John XXIII" (r. 1410–5) had succeeded Alexander V, the Pisan line became illegitimate. The pontificate of Gregory XII was recognized to extend to 1415, and the Church now recognizes Alexander V as an antipope.[8] However, Alexander V remains in the numerical sequence of the regnal nameAlexander becauseRodrigo Borgia had taken the nameAlexander VI in 1492.
One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Alexander s.v. Alexander V.".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 1 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 553.| Late Antiquity | |||||||
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