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. 256.
The Lives of the Popes,
BY
B. Platina
Volume I.
BENEDICT VI.
A.D. 972-974.
BENEDICT the Sixth, a Roman, succeeded John in his office and in his troubles, for being taken prisoner by Bonifazio, a potent citizen, he was put into Castle St Angelo, a jail for malefactors, or rather for innocent persons, where in a little while he was strangled, or (as Cusentinus says) famished. I cannot but admire that the actors of so great an outrage were never punished, neither by the citizens of the adverse party, nor by the Emperor Otho, who was reputed an excellent man, and a stout defender of the Church of Rome. But I am afraid Bonifazio did no worse by him than he deserved; not but that how faulty soever Benedict might be, it was ill done of Bonifazio to lay violent hands upon the Pope, since the censure of him did not belong to a private man. But see the turn of human affairs; the Popes of our times make nothing to clap up citizens into the same place and there starve them, whether they deserve it or are only a little too powerful than they desire. I believe Otho was too much taken up with other business, so that he could not help him. He died when he had been Pope one year and six months.
Previous Pope: 137. John XIII. 138. Benedict VI. Next Pope: 138. Boniface VII.