The Woman who Became Pope
TLDRThe lecture delves into the myth of 'Pope Joan,' exploring its origins and evolution through history. Initially a 13th-century tale by Dominican friar Jean de Mailly, it tells of a woman who disguises as a man, rises through ecclesiastical ranks, and becomes Pope. The narrative, later adapted into anti-papal and anti-Catholic polemics during the Reformation, has been reimagined in modern times as a feminist story. The speaker also discusses the historical context of the papacy, including the Gregorian reform and the influence of powerful figures like Marozia, who dominated Rome's political scene in the early Middle Ages.
Takeaways
- 📜 The script discusses the myth of 'Pope Joan,' a female pope said to have existed during the medieval period, but is now known to be a legend rather than historical fact.
- 🎓 It was originally intended to provide historical context on the medieval papacy and the Gregorian reform, but shifted focus due to the allure of the Pope Joan myth.
- 🤷♂️ The story of Pope Joan has been adapted into various forms of media, including a 1972 film and a 2009 European film, reflecting its cultural impact and ongoing interest.
- 🎬 The 2009 film 'Pope Joan' reimagines the tale as a modern feminist story, portraying Johanna as a heroine overcoming societal sexism to achieve the papacy.
- 🏛️ The script mentions a supposed 'testicle chair' used in papal elections, a myth propagated to humiliate the Catholic Church, but no historical evidence supports its existence.
- 📚 The earliest accounts of the Pope Joan myth come from 13th-century Dominican friars, with later retellings by other Dominicans, showing its development over time.
- 📉 The story was used polemically during the Protestant Reformation to discredit the Catholic Church, suggesting a break in the apostolic succession of the papacy.
- 👑 The script also touches on the historical figure Marozia, a powerful woman who influenced the papacy through her family and marriages, illustrating the complex realities of power in the period.
- 🛣️ The lecture provides a broader historical context of the papacy, from its origins to the challenges it faced during the so-called 'papal Dark Age' and the subsequent Gregorian reform.
- 🔍 The absence of contemporary sources for the Pope Joan story and the lack of any mention by its many enemies at the time further discredit the tale as a historical event.
Q & A
What is the myth of Pope Joan?
-The myth of Pope Joan is a medieval tale about a woman who allegedly disguised herself as a man, became a high-ranking clergyman, and was elected Pope. The story is set in the 9th century and has been a subject of various retellings and adaptations over the centuries.
What is the origin of the Pope Joan story?
-The earliest version of the Pope Joan story appears in the chronicle of a Dominican friar named Jean de Mailly in the early 13th century. However, the tale was popularized by another Dominican chronicler, Martin of Opava, who added more details and moved the setting to the 9th century.
How did the Pope Joan myth evolve over time?
-The Pope Joan myth evolved from a simple monkish gossip to an anti-papal and anti-Catholic polemic during the Protestant Reformation. In more recent times, particularly in the 20th century, the story has been repurposed into a feminist tale, portraying Pope Joan as a heroine struggling against sexism.
What is the significance of the 'testicle chair' in the Pope Joan myth?
-The 'testicle chair' is a part of the myth that was added later to humiliate and discredit the Catholic Church. It is said to have been used during the papal election process to ensure that no woman could masquerade as a man and become Pope.
Why is the Pope Joan story considered a myth rather than historical fact?
-The Pope Joan story is considered a myth because there are no contemporary sources that support the tale. The story first appears centuries after the time it supposedly took place, and there is no evidence of such a scandal in the extensive records and writings of the time.
What is the significance of the character Marusya in the script?
-Marusya, or Marozia, is a historical figure from the 10th century who was a member of the powerful Theophylact family. She is depicted as a politically savvy woman who influenced the papacy and controlled Rome for a time, highlighting the real power dynamics of the period.
What were the Gregorian reforms, and how did they change the papacy?
-The Gregorian reforms were a series of changes initiated by Pope Leo IX and furthered by his successor, Pope Gregory VII. These reforms aimed to eliminate corruption within the Church, including the practice of simony (buying church offices) and enforced clerical celibacy. They also established the College of Cardinals and their exclusive right to elect the Pope, taking this power away from local lords.
What is the historical context of the papacy during the period discussed in the script?
-The script discusses a period known as the papal Dark Age, following the breakdown of the Carolingian Empire. This was a time when the papacy was at a low point, with local nobles and counts having significant influence over the election of popes. The papacy was also dealing with external threats such as Norsemen, Hungarians, and Muslims.
What role did the counts of Tusculum play in the papacy during the 10th and 11th centuries?
-The counts of Tusculum were a powerful Roman noble family that held significant influence over the papacy during the 10th and 11th centuries. They were able to control the election of popes and even imprisoned popes who were not to their liking. The family's power continued until the middle of the 11th century when the German emperor Conrad II appointed his cousin, Pope Leo IX, who initiated the Gregorian reforms.
How did the story of Pope Joan change in the 20th century feminist retelling?
-In the 20th century feminist retelling, the story of Pope Joan becomes a tale of a heroine who struggles against sexism in her society. The narrative focuses on her intelligence and the challenges she faces due to the bigotry of her time, ultimately presenting her as a positive character rather than a figure of scandal.
Outlines
🎬 The Myth of Pope Joan and Medieval Papacy
The script discusses the myth of Pope Joan, a woman who allegedly disguised herself as a man and became Pope. The lecturer initially planned to focus on the history of the medieval papacy and the Gregorian reform but decided to pivot to the more engaging tale of Pope Joan. The story serves as a segue into a broader discussion of the papacy's evolution through the ages. The lecturer also touches on a humorous anecdote about a testicle-checking ritual during papal elections, as shared by comedian Stephen Fry, which is later debunked as a myth.
📚 The Myth and Its Enduring Appeal
This paragraph delves into the persistence of the Pope Joan myth and its various retellings throughout history. Despite being a myth, the story has been the subject of numerous writings, a best-selling novel, and even films. The lecturer expresses surprise at the myth's continued resonance and its adaptation into different cultural products, reflecting its appeal to a wide audience.
🎥 The Film 'Pope Joan': A Modern Feminist Retelling
The script provides a plot summary of the 2009 film 'Pope Joan,' which offers a modern feminist take on the myth. The movie tells the story of Johanna, a young girl who, despite societal constraints, pursues education and eventually becomes Pope. The film reimagines the character as a heroine struggling against sexism, although it also presents a mixed message regarding her inability to balance career and family life due to an unexpected pregnancy and subsequent death.
🏛 The Historical Context of the Papacy
The lecturer provides historical context for the papacy, discussing its longevity and transformation over approximately 2,000 years. From its beginnings in the second century to the fall of the Western Roman Empire and beyond, the papacy has experienced significant changes. The script outlines key periods, such as the Avignon papacy, the schism of the West, the Protestant Reformation, and the Catholic counter-reformation, leading up to the present day.
👑 The Papal Dark Age and the Rise of Local Powers
This paragraph explores the so-called Papal Dark Age, a period of decline for the papacy following the breakdown of Charlemagne's empire. The script describes how the papacy's influence shrank as local lords, such as the counts of Tusculum, gained power. The lecturer discusses the assassination of Pope John VIII and the subsequent instability, leading to the rise of Marozia, a member of the powerful Tusculum family.
🌳 The Agricultural Revolution and Economic Shifts
The script touches on the agricultural revolution that occurred during the Middle Ages, with the introduction of the heavy plow leading to significant increases in agricultural productivity. This technological advancement contributed to population growth and economic development in Western Europe. The lecturer also mentions the local nature of manufacturing during the feudal era, with a focus on local production for the nobility and the emergence of a wool industry in Flanders and Tuscany.
🏛 The Impact of the Papacy's Transformation on Society
The final paragraph discusses the broader impact of the papacy's transformation on society, including the shift from a primarily agricultural society to one with growing manufacturing, particularly in the wool industry. The lecturer also hints at the upcoming lecture on Akhenaten and Egyptian monotheism, suggesting a continued exploration of historical and religious themes.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Pope Joan
💡Gregorian Reform
💡Dark Ages
💡Apostolic Succession
💡Marusya
💡Carolingian Empire
💡Saracens
💡Hildegard of Bingen
💡Papal States
💡Counter-Reformation
Highlights
Lecture explores the myth of Pope Joan, a woman who allegedly became Pope during the medieval period.
Original focus on the history of the medieval papacy and Gregorian reform was shifted due to the unappealing nature of the topic.
Stephen Fry's quiz show story about a Vatican throne used to verify the gender of Popes is debunked as a myth.
The tale of Pope Joan has been adapted into various forms, including novels and films, reflecting different societal attitudes over time.
Pope Joan is portrayed as a feminist hero in a 2009 film, reflecting modern societal values and challenges.
The myth of Pope Joan was used as anti-Catholic and anti-woman propaganda during the Protestant Reformation.
The story of Pope Joan first appeared in the 13th century by Dominican friar Jean de Mailly, lacking any contemporary evidence.
The absence of contemporary sources for the alleged reign of Pope Joan suggests the story is not historical.
The myth has persisted due to its intriguing nature, despite the lack of historical evidence.
The papacy has undergone significant transformations throughout its long history, from its origins to the modern era.
The period of the Carolingian Empire's decline led to a 'papal Dark Age' marked by reduced power and influence of the Popes.
The Gregorian reform marked a significant shift in the papacy, introducing changes that affected the entire Western Church.
Marusya of Tusculum, a historically significant woman, effectively ruled Rome and influenced the papacy in the 10th century.
The story of Marusya demonstrates the political savvy and power of women in a male-dominated society.
Historical figures like Marusya offer rich narratives that could rival fictional accounts in their complexity and intrigue.
Transcripts
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)
Thanks for rating: