From The Lives of the Popes from the Time of our Saviour Jesus Christ to the Accession of Gregory VII. Written Originally in Latin by B. Platina, Native of Cremona, and translated into English (from an anonymous translation, first printed in 1685 by Sir Paul Rycaut), Edited by William Benham, Volume I, London: Griffith, Farran, Okeden & Welsh, [1888, undated in text]; pp. 248-249.
The Lives of the Popes,
BY
B. Platina
Volume I.
JOHN XI.
A.D. 931-936.
JOHN the Eleventh, a Roman, son (as some say) of Pope Sergius,1 came to be Pope when a fountain at Genoa streamed blood in great quantities (as Vincentius and Martinus relate), a sure presage of the ensuing calamities, for soon after Genoa was taken and sacked by the Saracens, who came from Africa, and the Hungarians entering Italy, utterly 249 destroyed all things, far and near; but as they passed, laden with prey, by the confines of Sulmona, the people of Tagliacozza, on a sudden taking arms, they were routed by them, and lost their lives and plunder together. Racherius, who of a monk had been made bishop of Verona, was now a great writer, but was banished to Pavia by King Hugh, because he inveighed against his manner of living with too great freedom. John died after he had been Pope four years, ten months, and fifteen days. The see was vacant twelve days.
FOOTNOTE
1 And of Marozia, so Roman Catholic historians say. — ED.
Previous Pope: 128. Stephen VIII. 129. John XI. Next Pope: 130. Leo VII.