Pope Victor III

Reign: 1086 – 1087
Life: 1027–1087

He was the successor of Pope Gregory VII. Prior to becoming pope he had held the important post of abbot of the great monastery of Montecassino, under his monastic name of Desiderius and during those years played a historically important role. He is the most recent lawfully elected pope to have taken the pontifical name "Victor". In contrast with his early public life, as Pope Victor, as he had become, he made a less significant contribution.

During Pope Victor III's reign, William the Conqueror ruled England, Alfonso VI of León and Castile ruled Spain, and Blot-Sweyn ruled Sweden.

Want to learn more? Further reading

Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy by John Julius Norwich

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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From the library

Go deeper on Pope Victor III

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Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy

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