The Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges; Royal Authority, Conciliar Movement, and Shifting Power Dynamics within the Catholic Church

1438: a year etched into history not for grand battles or dramatic assassinations but for a document signed on the 3rd of July in the French town of Bourges. This seemingly innocuous parchment, known as the Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges, would shake the foundations of the Catholic Church and ripple through centuries of religious and political discourse.

The early 15th century was a tumultuous time for Christendom. The Great Schism of the Western Church, which saw multiple individuals claiming the title of Pope, had deeply wounded the institution’s credibility. This crisis, coupled with growing discontent among some church officials and lay people over papal authority and perceived corruption, fueled the Conciliar Movement.

This movement, spearheaded by theologians and jurists, argued that ultimate power within the Church should reside not in the Papacy alone but in a council composed of bishops, theologians, and secular rulers. Proponents believed such a council would be more representative, accountable, and capable of addressing the Church’s problems.

The Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges emerged from this fertile ground of dissatisfaction and intellectual debate. It was, in essence, a declaration by Charles VII of France asserting the supremacy of the French crown over papal authority within his realm. The document addressed several key grievances:

• Appointment of Bishops: The sanction decreed that the French king had the right to appoint bishops within his territories, effectively bypassing the traditional papal authority in these matters. This move aimed to ensure that church officials were loyal to the French crown and not beholden to the Pope in Rome.
• Taxes and Revenue: It stipulated that no taxes or revenue could be levied on the French clergy without the consent of the king. This further reduced papal influence over the Church’s financial affairs within France.
• Appeals to the Papacy: The sanction restricted appeals to the Papal Court, allowing them only in specific cases.

The Pragmatic Sanction was a bold move, challenging centuries of established papal authority and asserting the power of the French monarchy. It represented a significant step towards nationalizing the Church within France, effectively creating a “Gallican” Church, separate from Roman control.

However, the impact of the Pragmatic Sanction extended far beyond the borders of France:

While Charles VII’s motivations were primarily political, seeking to consolidate his power and control over resources within France, the Pragmatic Sanction inadvertently sparked a wider debate about the nature of papal authority and the structure of the Church.

It is crucial to remember that history rarely unfolds in neat cause-and-effect narratives. The Pragmatic Sanction was part of a complex web of political, social, and religious forces at play during the early Renaissance. It served as both a symptom and a catalyst for the wider changes sweeping through Europe.

While it ultimately failed to resolve the Great Schism or usher in a new era of conciliar governance within the Church, the Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges left an indelible mark on the history of the Catholic world.

It stands as a testament to the enduring tensions between temporal and spiritual authority, foreshadowing centuries of debate over the role of the Church in society.

And perhaps, most importantly, it reminds us that even seemingly minor events can have far-reaching consequences, shaping the course of history in unexpected ways.