Cadaver Synod: Trial of a Dead Pope

What could drive a pope to put a corpse on trial? In 897, Rome staged one of the Middle Ages’ strangest spectacles: the Cadaver Synod, where Pope Stephen VI exhumed his predecessor and put his body on trial. Dr. Eleanor Janega is joined by Jessica Wärnberg to unpack the violent politics behind the outrage, the rival factions at stake, and why this gruesome event still fascinates today. MORE Conclave: Picking Popes Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify Gone Medieval is presented by Dr. Eleanor Janega. It was edited by Amy Haddow, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. All music used is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds. Gone Medieval is a History Hit podcast. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Cadaver Synod: Trial of a Dead Pope is an episode from Gone Medieval by History Hit.

This episode is 55:34 long.

This episode was published on May 5, 2026.

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