The Historians' History of the World 08

974 Bonifazio Francone, at the instigation of the Tuscan party, imprisons Benedict, strangles him, and assumes the papacy as Boniface VII. This anti-pope compelled to flee in a month to Constantinople. He carries off all the treasure from St. Peter’s. Election of Benedict VII, who excommunicates Boniface and, under protection of Otto II, rules in peace.

983 John XIV. Death of Otto in Rome.

984 Boniface suddenly reappears, imprisons John (who dies by starvation or poison), and seats himself in the papal chair. Re-establishment of the Roman Republic with the consul Crescentius at its head.

985 Sudden death of Boniface. John XV. Crescentius compels him to leave Rome, and he appeals to Otto III.

987 John is permitted to return. He now rules, but in subjection to the consul and senate.

996 On death of John, Otto brings about election of his kinsman, Gregory V (Bruno, duke of Carinthia). He crowns Otto emperor. Crescentius condemned to exile, but pardoned at intercession of Gregory, to whom he takes oath of fidelity. Crescentius compels Gregory to flee, and puts John XVI (Philagathus) in the papal chair.

998 Otto, as soon as possible, comes to Italy. John escapes, but is brought back and horribly punished. Crescentius surrenders, and is put to death. Gregory restored.

999 Death of Gregory, perhaps by poison. Silvester II (Gerbert). Otto and Gregory plan together to restore the empire to its grandeur in the Augustan Age—the emperor to have boundless temporal, and the pope boundless spiritual, power.

1001 The Roman nobles revolt at this idea, but are quickly brought to terms.

1002 Death of Otto, probably by poison administered by Stephania, widow of Crescentius.

1003 Death of Gregory, perhaps due also to poisoning by Stephania. The plans to rescue the papacy from the patricians and populace of Rome have thus failed. John XVII (Sicco) occupies the see six months. John XVIII (Fanasus).

1009 Sergius IV. Rome is again a republic, with the patrician John, son of Crescentius, at its head. The Tuscan party is in the ascendency.

1012 Benedict VIII elected by the Tusculan party, to which the house of Crescentius has yielded the power. An anti-pope, Gregory, is set up by the party of Crescentius. Benedict has to flee, but soon returns to Rome, protected by the emperor Henry II.

1014 Benedict administers a defeat to the Saracens near Pisa.

1021 Benedict assists Henry II in his war against the Byzantines in southern Italy.

1024 On Benedict’s death the Tusculan party elevates his brother, John XIX, a layman, to the papal chair.

1033 On John’s death the power of the Tusculan house secures the pontificate for his young nephew, Benedict IX.

1042 The “Truce of God” sanctioned.

1044 Benedict, after leading a vicious and depraved life, is driven from Rome by the people. They then elect Silvester III, but Benedict returns in triumph, and the anti-pope flees.

1045 Benedict sells the pontificate to Gregory VI (Johannes Gratianus) of the house of Tusculum, a man of learning and unimpeachable chastity, who endeavours to institute reforms.

1046 The scandal of Benedict’s act leads to Henry III assembling the Council of Sutri, which deposes the three popes and elects Suidgar bishop of Bamberg, Clement II, to the papal chair. The council gives the emperor the right of nominating future popes, which displeases the Roman clergy and people.

THE AGE OF GREATNESS [1046-1305 A.D.]

A new era is inaugurated for the papacy. The power of the popes begins to overshadow that of the emperors.

1047 Clement summons a council to condemn the all-pervading vice of simony. Death of Clement. Benedict IX seizes the throne and holds it for nine months.

1048 Poppo, bishop of Brixen, Damasus II, appointed pope by the emperor. Benedict flees on his appearance. Damasus dies in less than a month. Hildebrand voices the objections of the Roman clergy as to the power of the emperor to appoint the popes. Bruno, bishop of Toul, Leo IX, is the imperial choice for the next pope.

1049 With the assistance of Hildebrand, Leo plans many reforms, including prohibition of marriage to the clergy, simony, etc. The synods of Rome, Rheims, and Mainz enact reformatory canons. Leo forms the college of cardinals.

1049-1051 Leo visits France and Germany.

1052 Third visit of Leo to Germany to mediate between Henry III and Andrew of Hungary.

1053 Campaign of Leo against the Normans. Capture of Leo at Civitella. Treaty of Hildebrand with Berengar of Tours.

1054 Leo returns to Rome and dies. Hildebrand goes to the emperor as plenipotentiary of the Roman clergy and people.

1055 Gebhard of Eichstadt, Victor II, Hildebrand’s candidate, made pope. He carries on Leo’s work of reform.

1056 Death of Henry III, leaving infant son, furthers plan of Hildebrand.