E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Pope Joan.
Said to have succeeded Leo IV. Gibbon says, “Two Protestants, Blondel and Bayle, annihilated her;” but Mosheim seems half-inclined to believe there was such a person. The vulgar tale is that Joan conceived a violent passion for the monk Folda, and in order to get admission to him assumed the monastic habit. Being clever and popular, she got to be elected pope.
