RELIGIOUS ENCYCLOPEDIA
Boniface
the fact is not denied, it is to be regarded rather as a triumph of papal politics, which did not disdain the alliance of a base and criminal ruler, than as a historical justification of the claims of Rome. Boniface died Nov. 12, 607. (A. Hauck.)
Bibliography: Liber pontificalis, ed. Duchesne, i, 316, Paris, 1886; Paulus Diaconus, Hist. Langobardorum, iv, 36, in MGH, Script, rer. Langob., ed. G. Waitz, Hanover, 1878, Eng. transl., p. 177, Philadelphia, 1907; F. Greg'orovius, Geschichte der Stadt Rom, ii, 102, Stuttgart, 1876, Eng. transl., London, 1900; J. Langen, Geschichte der romischen Kirche bis Nikolaus I., p. 500, Bonn,
1885; Bower, Popes, i, 425-427; Mann, Popes, I, i, 259-262.
Boniface IV: Pope 608-615. He was the successor of Boniface III after an interregnum of ten months. He kept up the same friendly relations with Phocas, from whom he acquired the Pantheon in Rome, built as a heathen temple, and transformed it into a church. When Heraclius, who overthrew Phocas in 610, was endeavoring to find a way to reconciliation with the Monophysites, Boniface seems to have approved of his plans; which probably accounts for a letter of Columban (q.v.) written from Bobbio (c. 613), informing him that people call him a receiver and protector of heretics who deny the double nattire of Christ, and warning him that his power will remain only so long as he .maintains the true faith. Boniface died May 25, 615. (A. Hauck.)
Bibliography: Liber pontificalis, ed. Duchesne, i, 317, Paris, 1886; Jaffe\ Regesta, i, 220; Paulus Diaconus, Historia Langobardorum, iv, 36, in MGH, Script, rer. Langob., ed. G. Waitz, Hanover, 1878, Eng. transl., p. 178, Philadelphia, 1907; Bede, Hist, eccl, ii, 4, ed. Plummer, vol. i, p. 88, Oxford, 1896; R. Baxmann, Die Politik der Pfipsfe, i, 150, Elberfeld, 1868; F. Gregorovius, Geschichte der Stadt Rom, ii, 102, Stuttgart, 1876, Eng. transl., London, 1900; J. Langen, Geschichte der romischen Kirche . bis Nikolaus I., p. 501, Bonn, 1885; Neander, Christian Church, iii, 32, 34, 134; Bower, Popes, i, 428-429; Mann, Popes, I, i, 268.
Boniface V: Pope 619-625. The Liber pontificalis tells that he was a Neapolitan, that he distinguished himself as pope by his love of peace and kindness, and that he issued a number of decrees affecting the functions of the different orders of the clergy. Bede and William of Malmesbury mention several letters addressed to English personages; the most important is that preserved by the latter, a letter to Justus, archbishop of Canterbury (625), confirming for all time the position of his diocese as the metropolitan see of Britain, and extending his powers. Boniface died Oct. 25> 625- (A. Hauck.)
Bibliography; Liber pontificalis, ed. Duchesne, i, 321, I'aris, 1886; JafK, Regesta, i, 222; Bede, Hist, eccl., ii, '. ed. Plummer, vol. i, pp. 93-95, Oxford, 1896; F. Gre- ?»7fiVUS' Geschichte der Stadt Rom, ii, 122, Stuttgart, ool t, g' transl- London, 1902; Mann, Popes, I, i, •fin; Bower, Popes, i, 430-432.
Boniface VI: Pope 896. He was the son of Hadrian, a Roman, and was elevated to the papal throne in April or May, 896, by a popular movement, on the death of Formosus, although he had "vice been deposed from his spiritual functions oy John VIII on charges affecting his moral character and apparently was never canonically refiff jHe maintamed his position only for ■"teen days, as the party hostile to Formosus
carried through the election of Stephen VI, who drove him out. Others say that he died fifteen days after his election. (A. Hauck.)
Bibliography: Jaffe", Regesta, i, 439; Annales Fuldenses, ed. G. H. Pertz, in MGH, Script, i, 412, Hanover, 1826; R. Baxmann, Die Politik der Papste, ii, 70, Elberfeld, 1869; J. Langen, Geschichte der romischen Kirche bis Gregor VII., p. 303, Bonn, 1892; Bower, Popes, ii, 229.
Boniface VII: Pope 974, 984-985. After the downfall of Benedict VI, Crescentius, the leader of the nobles, caused the election of the deacon Boniface, called Franco (June, 974). One of hisfirst acts was to order his predecessor to be put to death. But he was able to hold his own only for six weeks, after which he fled to Constantinople .. Here he remained for more than nine years — or as long as Otto II lived to protect the popes set up by him, Benedict VII and John XIV. Otto died Dec. 7, 983, and the fugitive Boniface immediately asserted his claims. He reappeared in Rome, and in the following April defeated John XIV, imprisoned him in the castle of Sant'Angelo, and had him either poisoned or starved to death there. Eleven months later, this " horrible monster " (as a contemporary calls him) met a like fate, dying, it seems probable, by assassination in the summer of 985; his body was mutilated and insulted by the infuriated populace. Gfrorer's hypothesis that his murder was caused by the empress Theophano has no support in the original authorities. (A. Hauck.)
Bibliography: Jaffe\ Regesta, i, 485; Herimannus Augiensis, Chronicon, ed. G. H. Pertz, in MGH, Script., v, 116> sqq., Hanover, 1844; Gerbert, Acta concilii Remensis, ed. G. H. Pertz, MGH, Script., iii, 672, ib. 1839; L. C- Ferucci, Investigazioni . . su la persona ed il pontificato di Bonif. VII., Lugo, 1856 (attempts to clear Boniface of the charges); J. M. Watterich, Pontificum Romanorum vitce, i, 66, Leipsic, 1862; J. Langen, Geschichte der romischen Kirche bis Gregor VII., Bonn, 1892.
Boniface VIII (Benedetto Gaetani): Pope 1294- 1303. He was born at Anagni [c. 1235], and probably studied civil and canon law at Paris. He began his ecclesiastical career as canon of Todi, held benefices in Lyons and Rome, and became notary of the Curia. Martin IV made him a cardinal in 1281, and under Nicholas IV and Celestine V he was one of the most prominent members of the sacred college, being employed in the most varied missions. He encouraged Celestine V in his project of retirement to ascetic seclusion, and even drew up the formula of abdication, by which he was to profit; for, less than a. fortnight after Celestine had laid down the papal dignity, it was bestowed upon his adviser (Dec. 24, 1294). Even before his consecration, the new pope asserted his prerogatives by revoking many appointments of his two predecessors, deposing archbishops and bishops appointed by Celestine without the consent of the cardinals, and leaving
Naples for Rome with all his court, in
Policy spite of the efforts of Charles II to
and detain him there. He was consecrated
Successes and crowned in St. Peter's, Jan. 23,
in Italy. 1295, and soon took an active part in
the conflicts of the time, offering to mediate between Genoa and Venice in February. Sicily occupied him next; it had freed itseli Loin
SSoniface