Mistress of the Vatican : the true story of Olimpia Maidalchini, the secret female pope / Eleanor Herman.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Herman, Eleanor, 1960-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Pamphili, Olimpia Maidalchini, 1594-1656.

Pamphili, Olimpia Maidalchini.

Nobility.

Women in the Catholic Church.

History.

Papal States--History--Innocent X, 1644-1655.

Papal States.

Women in the Catholic Church--Vatican City--History--17th century.

Papacy--History--1566-1799.

Papacy.

Nobility--Italy--Papal States--Biography.

Italy.

Vatican City.

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

xi, 452 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York, NY : William Morrow, [2008]

Contents:

Part 1 The Girl From Viterbo

1 The Convent 9

2 The Wealthy Landowner's Wife 29

3 The Roman Noblewoman 38

4 The Brother-in-Law 52

5 The Papal Nuncio 66

6 Cardinals 78

7 The Black Widow 98

8 Conclave 117

Part 2 The Female Pope

9 The Vicar of Christ 137

10 Celebrations 149

11 Women in the Vatican 161

12 Vengeance on the Barberinis 179

13 The Despised Daughter-in-Law 196

14 The Imbecile Cardinals 209

15 Birth, Famine, and Bitter Peace 223

16 The Shoulder of Saint Francesca 237

17 The Holy Jubilee Year 257

18 Crisis of Conscience 274

Part 3 Unforgiveness

19 Honor and Dishonor 293

20 Olimpia's Triumphant Return 311

21 The Sudden Disgrace of Cardinal Astalli 331

22 Death of the Dove 348

23 Unforgiveness 365

24 Pope Alexander VII 372

25 The Two Queens of Rome 384

26 The Scourge of God 395

27 After Olimpia 409.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [433]-438) and index.

ISBN:

9780061245558

0061245550

OCLC:

179805635