Joan Anglicus is thought to have been using the name of John (her brother's name) and became pope in 853 between Pope Leo and Pope Benedict. There are differing opinions that Pope Joan existed, but after finding out Pope John was actually a woman, she was erased from many history books. In some records Pope Leo's death was changed from 853 to 855 in order to remove Pope Joan from the list of papal accessions and deaths.
Donna Woolfolk Cross, after seven years of research, wrote Pope Joan which, although a fictional account, does follow actual events in Rome and Europe. Very little is known about Joan but nevetheless research showed what life was possibly like for her.
This is the author's first novel and is a very impressive read. If you like historical fiction, I highly recommend Pope Joan.
