Keeping it in the family

It was the year 1015 and Theophylactus, a noble from the powerful Tusculum family of Rome, found himself in a fix. He had successfully seen off his last rival and ascended to the most powerful seat in the known world to become pontifex maximus. But this title came with a catch: as Pope Benedict VIII, he was also bound to celibacy.

This meant that he couldn’t pass on his great wealth and power to a son, as was the custom among the nobility. So, he did the next best thing: he heaped favour upon his brother, Romanus, who served as consul and senator of Rome at the time. Upon Benedict VIII’s death in 1024, his brother was able to bribe enough officials to enjoy “accelerated” ordination to the rank of bishop, enabling him to be elected