CHAPTER I

PRIESTS AND POPES ACCUSED OF MAGIC

Inviolable sanctity of the priesthood—Accusations of false adepts—Groundless charges against Pope Sylvester II—Scandalous story of Polonus reproduced by Platina—The legend of Pope Joan—Its derivation from ancient Tarot cards representing Isis crowned with a tiara—Further concerning Sylvester II—Opinion of Gabriel Naudé—The Grimoire attributed to Pope Honorius III—The anti-pope Honorius II as its possible author—An excursus on the content and character of the work 291

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