en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saeculum_obscurum
1 correction found
the seven legitimate popes and one illegitimate antipope elected between 896 and 964.
The end date here is wrong: the run of seven popes plus one antipope was between 896 and 904, not 896 and 964.
Full reasoning
This appears to be a date error. The Holy See’s official list of pontiffs shows the rapid succession after Formosus as:
- Boniface VI — 11 April 896 to 26 April 896
- Stephen VI — 896 to 897
- Romanus — 897
- Theodore II — 897/898
- John IX — 897/898 to 900
- Benedict IV — 900 to 903
- Leo V — 903
- then Sergius III begins on 29 January 904
That sequence is exactly the chaotic run of seven legitimate popes plus the antipope Christopher before Sergius III took office. So the interval should end in 904, not 964. By 964 there had been many additional popes already, including John XII and even the rival Leo VIII in 963, so “between 896 and 964” is not correct.
2 sources
- The Holy See — Pontiffs
The official Vatican list shows Boniface VI (11.IV.896), Stephen VI (896–897), Romanus (897), Theodore II (897/898), John IX (897/898–900), Benedict IV (900–903), Leo V (903), and then Sergius III beginning 29.I.904.
- Catholic Encyclopedia — Pope Sergius III
The entry states: 'Date of birth unknown; consecrated 29 Jan., 904; d. 14 April, 911.' This confirms Sergius III’s pontificate began in 904, immediately after the 896–904 succession crisis.