Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross

I was aware before I heard of this book of the legend of Pope Joan, though not of the details.  Richly detailed in history and custom of the time, the darkest of the Dark Ages, Pope Joan is wonderfully written.  I was completely sucked in to desperate savagery and superstitious barbarism of the ninth century.  Though sceptical from the outset, I found myself persuaded by the vividness of the characters.

There is more evidence for the existence of Pope Joan than there is for King Arthur.  I, for one, believe that Arthur did, indeed, exist.  But not as a king.  In my mind, he was a fierce, bloodthirsty warlord.  Probably an illegitimate relative of the king, though, whether son or brother or uncle or something else altogether, I don’t know.  He was ruthless, and he was charismatic.  A battle leader justly to be feared by Saxon and Briton alike.

There is a kernel of truth to be found in every myth, and in every legend.  However, I find it difficult to believe that any woman so clever as to fool everyone to the extent of earning the papacy could have been reckless enough, stupid enough, to become pregnant.

Pope Joan is a fascinating, absorbing read which I highly recommend.

Rating:  4.5 out of 5 stars

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