"seventy years' captivity," as it was called, Italy and Rome were
revolutionised, and when at length the popes returned to their ancient
city (1376) the great "papal schism" began, which did so much to bring
on the Reformation. It arose out of the Roman people's determination
to have an Italian pope, and the struggle of the French cardinals to
keep the dignity for Frenchmen. The momentous results of that fierce
conflict only concern us here indirectly. We simply note now that the
year following the return to Rome saw John Wyclif brought to account
at St. Paul's.

But before following that history, it will not be out of place to
take another survey of our cathedral during these years, apart
from fightings and controversies. St. Paul's had been most closely
connected with the continually growing prosperity of the city.
The Lord Mayor was constantly worshipping there in state with his
officers. On the 29th of October each year (the morrow of SS. Simon
and Jude) he took his oath of office at the Court of Exchequer, dined
in public, and, with the aldermen, proceeded from the church of St.
Thomas Acons (where the Mercers' Chapel now is) to the cathedral.
There a requiem was said for Bishop William, as already described,[3]
then they went on to the tomb of Thomas Becket's parents, and the
requiem was again said. This done they returned by Cheapside to the
Church of St. Thomas Acons, where each man offered a penny. On All
Saints' Day (three days later) they went to St. Paul's again for
Vespers, and again at Christmas, on the Epiphany, and on Candlemas Day
(Purification). On Whitsun Monday they met at St. Peter's, Cornhill,
and on this occasion the City clergy all joined the procession, and
again they assembled in the cathedral nave, while the _Veni Creator
Spiritus_ was sung antiphonally, and a chorister, robed as an angel,
waved incense from the rood screen above.[4] Next day the same