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Pope Joan (Ioannes Anglicus, 855–857) was, according to legend, a woman who reigned as pope for two years during the Middle Ages. Her story first appeared in chronicles in the 13th century and subsequently spread throughout Europe.
Jun 10, 2015 · A medieval legend claims that a lady pontiff may have reigned for a brief period in the ninth century. The story of Pope Joan is based on a medieval legend that a young woman disguised as a man and became Pope John VIII in 855. Her gender was only revealed in 858, when she went into labor. Some accounts say she died, while others claim she was stoned to death by her followers.
Mar 21, 2024 · Pope Joan, legendary female pontiff who supposedly reigned for more than 25 months, from 855 to 858, under the title of John VIII. It has subsequently been proved that a gap of only a few weeks fell between Pope Leo IV and Pope Benedict III and that the story is entirely apocryphal.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
May 5, 2022 · Pope Joan was a legendary female pope of the Middle Ages said to have reigned from 855 to 858. After her story was popularized by Italian writer Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375), a statue of her was placed alongside those of other popes at Siena Cathedral. During the Reformation, her status was a focus of controversy.
Oct 22, 2020 · Did a woman ever become pope in the Middle Ages? Learn about the origins, sources and variations of the story of Pope Joan, who allegedly gave birth in a procession and was executed for her deception.
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We’re talking about the legend of Pope Joan, allegedly the only female pope to exist. The story of Pope Joan is considered by most to be a work of fiction, but that hasn’t stopped some from believing that she was a genuine leader of the Church who was effectively erased from history.
Sep 19, 2018 · Did a woman disguise herself as a man and become pope in the ninth century? Learn about the legend of Pope Joan, the coins that allegedly prove her existence, and the historical sources that cast doubt on her story.