ABSTRACT
This chapter talks about Innocent's pontificate rather than simply about the schism. Pope Innocent II had been elected first and by the majority of the cardinal bishops, while the subsequent election of Anacletus II was approved by a slightly greater number of cardinals and had the support of many of the clergy and people of Rome. Innocent II was forced to depart Rome soon after his election. The city had opted for Anacletus, the world for Innocent. The schism of 1130 demonstrated the inadequacies of Nicholas II election decree of 1059. This was recognised at the time as one of the most remarkable features of the schism. In spite of his exile from the city, or perhaps because of it, Innocent held the support and sympathy of much of Western Christendom, hostile to the perceived worldliness and corruption of the city of Rome and its people, which were increasingly lampooned.
