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. 265.
The Lives of the Popes,
BY
B. Platina
Volume I.
JOHN XVII.
A.D. 1003.
JOHN the Seventeenth, whose surname and family, because of their baseness, are not recorded, died four months and twenty days after he was made Pope. So that because of the shortness of his pontificate there was nothing memorable done either by himself or any other in the time, unless that many prodigies, apparitions, and comets were seen, and many towns ruined by earthquakes, foreshowing the calamities that were to come; some ease in which yet was given by Hugh, the Viceroy of Italy under Otho, and Governor of Tuscany; for he managed his province with so great justice and integrity, that no one complained for want of an excellent prince. Who afterward dying at Pistoia, the Tuscans universally bewailed him as a public parent, not suffering any manner of respect to be wanting to his funeral. In this place I therefore thought good to mention the deserved praises of Hugh, that governors of countries may know, that it is much better by a just and generous administration to acquire glory and honour, than by unjust ways to heap up riches with everlasting shame and ignominy.
Previous Pope: 146. Sylvester II. 147. John XVII. Next Pope: 148. John XVIII.