The Female Pope Die Päpstin Donna W Cross

[modeller]

I have read the book and many reviews about this book and I found it one of the the most facinating historical novels I have ever read. We are subjected to Elizabeth I and Henry VIII ad infinatum but the story of the Female Pope has more intrigue, Vatican cover up, Viking Nordic paganism . and intolerance than in much of the Medieval period. Because of the Vatican cover up during the 9th and 10th centuries they call it a myth but so was paedophilia in their eyes.
Several films have been made on the continent but never in this country and never on TV. I wonder why ? Sucking up to the Pope maybe ?
It would make a wonderful series and a welcome change from the Elizabethans.

http://www.suite101.c...n-die-papstin-a195904

[jno]

this was screened here, as far as I know

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069110/

Good conspiracy theory but bad history

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Joan

[modeller]

jno // Good conspiracy theory but bad history //

You may be right but how do you define bad history ? We know that all cultures present history in a light favourable to them but the Church in general and the Vatican in particular are major culprits.

[jno]

well, you just have to employ a standard bullsh!t detector on this one. Does the story sound in the least plausible? Just happened to give birth while out riding a horse? How many nine-month-pregnant women ride horses?

[modeller]

Yes like all history they try to fill in the gaps. So it depends on who wrote the various books. Nobody said she was 9 months pregnant , and even if she was pregnant it could have been an early miscarriage. Some books don't mention pregnancy at all. In another it is claimed she was English and so on . The point is that for about 300 years it was widely accepted throughout Europe that there had been a female pope and it was only that the male dominated Church and the Holy Roman Emperors decided to suppress the story . I suppose it's a bit like the opposition to women priests and bishops today.

[Rosetta]

I dont know the story at all, but to be Pope she would have had to have been elected/ selected by her misogynist male counterparts, which sounds far fetched. If it was a claim made through battle, it again appears illogical as battles were largely local and its unlikely that a woman of the time would have the powerbase or support. Again its unlikely through hereditary right as women had few rights at the time. Could you let me know where the story comes from as it would be interesting to read it for myself. On the face of it, I'm a bit sceptical

[DTCwordfan]

Boedicea for Pope-ess

Or should that be Maggie Thatch, Viccy Beckham or Cherry Cole?

[Invictas]

Good book,Bad History!

[modeller]

Rosetta there is so many articles on Google I wouldn't know where to start but the one by
D W Cross is recognised as a good starting point. Here is another worth looking at.

http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Pope_Joan
The Vatican were trying to erase all references to her during the reformation and tried to blame the protestants, and still are . Several films have been made and had capacity audiences in Italy which didn't please the Pope.
Whatever its weaknesses , like all historical novels, its a very good read and my American friends tell me how popular the film is over there , that is why I'm surprised it's ignored here.

http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Pope_Joan