898 John IX, though of Formosus’ party, submits to the emperor Lambert. The right of plundering the pope’s palace, on his decease, is prohibited.
900 Benedict IV.
901 He crowns Louis of Provence, the rival of Berengar.
903 Leo V. In a few months he is imprisoned by Christopher, one of his chaplains, who secures his own election.
904 Christopher driven from Rome by the soldiers of Berengar. Election of Sergius III. The infamous Theodora and her daughters, Marozia and Theodora, have complete influence over Sergius. They further the aims of Berengar’s party. Complete degradation of the papacy.
911 Anastasius III.
913 Lando.
914 John X, archbishop of Ravenna, is elected through influence of Theodora, whose paramour he is. He proves an able pontiff, and forms a league among the Italian dukes to resist the Saracens, and, in furtherance of this project,
916 crowns Berengar emperor; then, for the first time in the history of the papacy, the pope goes forth to battle, defeats the Saracens, and destroys the fortress of Garigliano.