Urban legends captivate us, blurring the lines between fact and fiction. Among the most enduring is the tale of a female Pope, a story that, for centuries, was widely accepted as truth. While we at johnchen.net delve into fascinating narratives, it’s crucial to explore these stories with a critical eye. Let’s examine the intriguing case of Pope Joan, and her purported birth name, John Anglicus, a figure who challenges our understanding of history and the papacy.
The story of Pope Joan, or John Anglicus, depending on the chronicle, centers around a woman who allegedly reigned as Pope during the Middle Ages. Accounts place her papacy around 855-857 AD. First emerging in the 13th century, the narrative of this female pontiff rapidly gained traction across Europe. For hundreds of years, many regarded Pope Joan, also known as John Anglicus, as an undeniable historical figure.
The legend typically portrays John Anglicus as an exceptionally intelligent and learned woman who cleverly disguised herself as a man. Some versions suggest she was aided by a lover in maintaining this deception, though the motives remain unclear. Her intellect propelled her through the ranks of the Church hierarchy, ultimately leading to her election as Pope. The deception, according to the story, was flawless, with no one suspecting her true gender. However, the tale takes a dramatic turn during a papal procession when Pope Joan, or John Anglicus, unexpectedly gave birth, revealing her secret to the stunned populace.
Following this shocking revelation, Pope Joan, or John Anglicus, is said to have died shortly after. The circumstances of her death remain ambiguous in the legends. Some accounts suggest death due to childbirth complications, while others hint at murder. In the aftermath of this event, it is said that papal processions altered their routes to avoid the location of this scandalous birth. Speculation arises that the Vatican attempted to erase all traces of her papacy from official records and instituted rituals to prevent future female popes. Further fueling the legend, a bust of Pope Joan, alongside other pontiffs, was once featured in the Siena Cathedral. However, public outcry in 1600 led to its removal, adding another layer to the mystery surrounding John Anglicus.
Early Accounts of the Female Pope: Naming “John Anglicus”
The earliest known mention of a female pope appears in Jean d Mailly’s chronicle around 1250. While this initial account doesn’t name the female pope, it paved the way for subsequent elaborations. The most influential narrative emerged in Martin of Opava’s Chronicon Pontificum ed Imperatorum. This chronicle not only solidified the legend but crucially provided a name: John Anglicus of Mainz. Martin placed her reign in the 9th century and attributed her entry into the church to following a lover. Martin of Opava’s version, introducing John Anglicus by name, became the widely accepted account of the female pope for centuries.
Pope Joan as Truth: Teaching and Acceptance
During the peak belief in Pope Joan, or John Anglicus, Dominican preachers used her story as an “exemplum,” a moral illustration, albeit a cautionary one. Even Bartolomeo Platina, the Prefect of the Vatican Library and a respected scholar, wrote about Pope John VIII (in reality, a male pope), stating he was “said to have arrived at popedom by evil art,” referencing the popular narrative of the female Pope. Platina detailed how John Anglicus, disguised as a man, deceived learned men across Europe to gain religious education. References to Pope Joan, often under the name John Anglicus, grew, making her a prominent topic of discussion and even perceived historical fact.
However, inconsistencies existed. In 1404, Adam of Usk called her Agnes and mentioned a statue of her in Rome – a statue previously unmentioned and of questionable identification. Some speculate this statue of a woman was mistakenly associated with the Pope Joan legend. A late 14th-century pilgrim guidebook in Rome even claimed her remains were interred at St. Peter’s, coinciding with the commissioning of busts potentially representing her, though the identity remains debated.
Pope Joan and John Anglicus Today: Fiction, Not Fact
Today, scholarly consensus firmly rejects the historical existence of Pope Joan, or John Anglicus. Modern historians have meticulously analyzed the timelines and accounts, demonstrating the impossibility of her reign. The Oxford Dictionary of Popes explicitly states the lack of evidence for a female pope, while acknowledging the centuries-long belief among Catholics.
A significant argument against the legend is the silence of the Church’s contemporary adversaries. In their criticisms and writings against popes of the era, figures like Benedict and Leo are mentioned, but never a Pope John (or Joan) that would align with the timeline of John Anglicus. This absence of contemporary challenge to a female pope strongly suggests the legend’s later fabrication.
Despite the captivating nature of the urban legend, Pope Joan, or John Anglicus, remains surprisingly absent from modern popular culture. Unlike other urban legends, her story hasn’t permeated social consciousness through widespread films or shows.
While Pope Joan and John Anglicus are not part of documented papal history, their legend offers a fascinating glimpse into medieval beliefs and the power of storytelling. To learn about the documented history of the Catholic Church and its true popes, consider a visit to the Vatican. Explore the intricate leadership structure and rich history of one of the world’s most influential institutions.
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