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]; p. 250.
The Lives of the Popes,
BY
B. Platina
Volume I.
MARTIN III.
A.D. 942-946.
MARTIN the Third, a Roman, imitated the meekness and peaceable carriage of Stephen, for being made Pope, he laid aside thoughts of war, and employed his mind in religious matters, repairing churches that were ready to fall with age, and relieving the poor with his charity. Not but that in his time Europe was very much torn with cruel wars: for Otho, attempting to enter Italy against the will of Lotharius, much blood was spilt on both sides, but Pope Martin persuaded them to lay down their arms, because (among other reasons) there was a great famine in the land, by reason the trees were felled, the standing corn trodden down, and even the husbandmen with their cattle were in this grievous war taken away. At Constantinople also were great tumults, the citizens, making their Emperor a prisoner, and shaving his head, banished him to a certain island; but soon after Constantine, son of Leo, getting the empire, punished these factious citizens after the same shameful manner and banished them to the same island. Martin died in the third year, sixth month, and tenth day of his Popedom, and was buried in St Peter’s Church. The Roman see was vacant twelve days.
Previous Pope: 131. Stephen IX. 132. Martin III. Next Pope: 133. Agapetus II.