[136]. Strange to say, Vigilius did, although not immediately succeed to the Papacy, and is reckoned the sixty-first in the series of pontiffs.
[137]. See the controversy apud Ferraris, Bibliotheca, Art. “Papa.”
[138]. Const. Prudentes Bullar. Rom., tom. iv. par. ii. page 90.
[139]. Pagi, Breviarium RR. FP., vol. i. p. 129, in vita Symmachi.
[140]. In a curious old ballad sung in low French by the Scotch in the king’s service occurs the contemptuous line, Les Romains bien tout villain mutinail. Francisque-Michel, Les Ecessais en France.
[141]. Apologia del Pontificato di Benedetto X., par. i. cap. ii. num. 2.
[142]. Odoacer, the first king of Italy in olden times, become so by violence and usurpation like the first king of Italy of modern times, and the first to interfere in a papal election, was captured in March, 493, and put to death by his victorious rival, Theodoric.
[143]. Darras, General History of the Catholic Church, vol. ii. p. 66.
[144]. Some writers, it must be said, attribute the imposition of this odious burden to the Gothic kings. Graveson, who agrees with them, says (Hist. Eccl., tom. ii. page 62) that the money was always distributed in alms to the poor.
[145]. Cap. Quia Sancta, xxviii. Dist lxiii.