-Caveat Lector-
from soc.genealogy.medieval
Subject: OT: Pope Joan (was re: pedigrees & popes)
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Nathaniel Taylor)
Date: Tue, 13 July 1999 12:42 PM EDT
Message-id: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>>
>> Speaking of Popes, is it true that Pope John XIII changed his title to
John XIV
>> in the 12th century, when he discovered that "Pope Joan" had reigned as
Pope
>> John XIII? This, of course, would mean that Pope John XIV officially
recognised
>> Joan's existence, which was otherwise wiped out of church records.
>
>The Vatican party-line on Pope Joan is here.
>http://www.knight.org/advent/cathen/08407a.htm.
>
>Of course she was essentially a protestant plot! The serious argument is
>that there is no room for such a pope in the timeline and no
>contemporary evidence. Likewise, if you check John XIII and John XIV
>here: http://www.knight.org/advent/az/j.htm
>
>there is no mention of name changes, nor even a whiff of perfume!
Rather than the turn-of-the-century _Catholic Encyclopedia_ (the version
that's on line at the above URL), I would recommend more recent literature
on the Pope Joan legend, particularly the fine book:
Rosemary Anne Pardoe and Darroll Pardoe, _The female pope: the mystery of
Pope Joan: the first complete documentation of the facts behind the
legend_ (Wellingborough, Northants., 1988).
This is not an exposé or a conspiracy theory book; it's a sound cultural
history of the growth of a legend. The legend of Pope Joan, a female
cleric who passed for male during a long career which included over two
years as pope (until she gave birth in public during a procession)
apparently originated in the early fourteenth century. It was hugely
popular in the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, widely spread among
Protestant anti-Catholics (who cited her as an example of the moral
corruption and invalidity of the papacy), but as a pre-reformation legend
it was, for a while, even current in Catholic circles; I can't remember
what they say about the John renumbering. As far as I remember, the
legend was said to have centered around a much earlier period in Papal
history--the ninth or tenth century, but there are absolutely no grounds
for it.
The Pardoes' book has suggestions of the seeds of the legend, including a
fascinating discussion of a late antique memorial stone whose abbreviated
epigraph was misinterpreted as commemorating the spot there the pope was
said to have given birth in the street.
She's also often included on FAQs and indices for Urban Legends (such as
the alt.folklore.urban FAQ & newsgroup). I'm sure a Pope Joan web search
would provide a good period of fun for those interested.
Nat Taylor
DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER
==========
CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic
screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters
and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright
frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects
spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL
gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers;
be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and
nazi's need not apply.
Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector.
========================================================================
Archives Available at:
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html
http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/
========================================================================
To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Om
