Context:

Gibbon is mentioned as the 'great author of The Decline of the Roman Empire' in the context of discussing his commentary on the pornocracy period and Pope Joan legend, noting that 'there was nothing he enjoyed more than popes behaving badly.'

Context:

Explicitly recommended as 'a brilliant French historian, Alain Bourreau, whose book on Pope Joan is really wonderful. It's by miles the best book out there on the subject.' The book argues about the connection between Pope Joan legend and the Gregorian revolution.

Context:

Referenced as a comparison when discussing the story of Guglielma and Maifreda: 'It's like something out of The Name of the Rose, Umberto Eco novel' - used to describe the extraordinary medieval heresy episode.