Die Schritte zur Einführung des Stimmrechts per nationes auf dem Konzil von Konstanz (1414-1418)

Abstract

Abstract: The Council of Constance was the definitive authority bringing the Grand Western Schism to an end. While it has usually been studied in connection with questions related to conciliarism, little attention has been paid to its structuring by nation. The voting procedure implemented there as well as the form and order of votes have long remained in the dark, despite their originality. The council was not voted “per capita”, but “by nation”. Within each of those national groups, the right to vote was extended outside the circle of bishops to laymen and clergy members of various ranks. This article analyses the events which occurred in the first months of the council, months during which the council went from being a traditional assembly -i.e. guided by papal authority- to an assembly structured and guided by the nations through the enlarged vote and the vote by nation.