CHAPTER II

Summary

Leo VI., Pope, 928–929

Stephen VII., Pope, 929–931

Two shadowy Popes succeeded John the Tenth, creatures doubtless of the now all-powerful Marozia, who, on account of his youth, dared not yet place her own son upon the Papal chair. Leo the Sixth, son of the primicerius Christopher, only reigned for a few months. His predecessor, so violently deposed, still languished in prison. Leo was succeeded by Stephen the Seventh, a Roman also ; but although the latter Pope filled the Apostolic Chair for upwards of two years (until February or March 931), the events of his reign are unrecorded, and the existence of these two Popes remains buried in darkness so profound that Liutprand, their younger contemporary, passes them over in silence, and represents John the Eleventh as the immediate successor of John the Tenth. Under the second of these two Popes the influence of Marozia rose to an unbounded height.

John XI., Pope, 931–936

John the Eleventh was the son of this infamous woman, who styled herself not only Senatrix, but also Patricia, being, as she actually was, the temporal ruler of the city and the arbitress of the Papal elections. It is supposed that Sergius the Third was the father of the new Pope, but the fact remains doubtful.