§ 31. Pope Paul dying, and the People having still the choice, he that could get the greatest strength was in hope of so rich a Prey: And Constantine, Brother to one Duke Toto, getting the strongest Party, by fear compelled George Bishop of Praenestine, with two more Bishops, to make him Pope, (being first ordained Deacon,) he possessed the Popedom alone a year and a month:1 Then one Christopher the Primocerius, and his Son Sergius being powerful, got out to the King of the Longobards, and craved his help against Constantine as an Usurper; and gathering some strength got into Rome, killed Toto; and caused Constantine the Pope, and another Brother Paessivus to take Sanctuary. One Waldipertus a Presbyter was of Christopher's Party, and to make haste, without Christopher's knowledge, he gathereth a Party, and they make one Philip (a Presbyter) Pope. (So there were two Popes.) Christophorus incensed, swore he would not enter Rome, till Philip was pulled out of the Bishop's house; which Gratiosus, one of his Party, presently performeth, and Philip returneth to his Monastery. Christophorus calleth the Clergy, People and Soldiers together, and (by his means) they choose another Stephen, (and so there are three Popes.) The Actors being now in their zeal, go to Theodorus a Bishop, and Vicedominus that joined with Pope Constantine, and they put out his eyes, and cut out his tongue. Next they attempted the like excaecation on Passivus. Bishop Theodore they thrust into a Monastery, and there (while he cried for a little water) they famished him to death. Passivus they put into another Monastery. They took all their Goods and Possessions. Pope Constantine they brought out, and set on Horseback on a Woman's Saddle with Weights at his Feet, and put him into a Monastery, (How holy then were Monasteries!) Shortly after they brought him forth, and Pope Stephen and some Bishops deposed him. Then the Citizens were to make their penitent Confessions for owning him. Next the Army goeth to Alatrum in Campania, where Gracilis the Tribune that had been for Constantine is apprehended, brought bound to Rome, imprisoned, and after his eyes put out, and his tongue cut out. After this, Gratiosus and his Zealots go to the Monastery where they had thrust Pope Constantine, and drag him out, and put out his eyes, and leave him blind in the street.
§ 31. Pope Paul dying, and the People having still the choice, he that could get the greatest strength was in hope of so rich a Prey: And Constantine, Brother to one Duke Toto, getting the strongest Party, by fear compelled George Bishop of Praenestine, with two more Bishops, to make him Pope, (being first ordained Deacon,) he possessed the Popedom alone a year and a month:1 Then one Christopher the Primocerius, and his Son Sergius being powerful, got out to the King of the Longobards, and craved his help against Constantine as an Usurper; and gathering some strength got into Rome, killed Toto; and caused Constantine the Pope, and another Brother Paessivus to take Sanctuary. One Waldipertus a Presbyter was of Christopher's Party, and to make haste, without Christopher's knowledge, he gathereth a Party, and they make one Philip (a Presbyter) Pope. (So there were two Popes.) Christophorus incensed, swore he would not enter Rome, till Philip was pull'd out of the Bishop's house; which Gratiosus, one of his Party, presently performeth, and Philip returneth to his Monastery. Christophorus calleth the Clergy, People and Soldiers together, and (by his means) they chuse another Stephen, (and so there are three Popes.) The Actors being now in their zeal, go to Theodorus a Bishop, and Vicedominus that joined with Pope Constantine, and they put out his eyes, and cut out his tongue. Next they attempted the like excaecation on Passivus. Bishop Theodore they thrust into a Monastery, and there (while he cryed for a little water) they famished him to death. Passivus they put into another Monastery. They took all their Goods and Possessions. Pope Constantine they brought out, and set on Horseback on a Womans Saddle with Weights at his Feet, and put him into a Monastery, (How holy then were Monasteries!) Shortly after they brought him forth, and Pope Stephen and some Bishops deposed him. Then the Citizens were to make their penitent Confessions for owning him. Next the Army goeth to Alatrum in Campania, where Gracilis the Tribune that had been for Constantine is apprehended, brought bound to Rome, imprisoned, and after his eyes put out, and his tongue cut out. After this, Gratiosus and his Zealots go to the Monastery where they had thrust Pope Constantine, and drag him out, and put out his eyes, and leave him blind in the street.
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