A.D. 1048.] WITCHCRAFT AT ROME. Pope Silvester. A.D. 1046. Silvester sat in the Koman chair fifty-six days, and was succeeded the same year by Gregory, who sat two years. In the same year died Living, who held the bishoprics of Worcester, Crediton, and Cornwall. After his decease, Leofric, the king's chancellor, obtained the prelacy A.D. 1047. Grinketel, bishop of Selsey, died, and was succeeded by Hecca, the king's chaplain. In this year too died Elfwin bishop of Winchester, and Stigand bishop of Helmham, being placed in his room, kept both sees. of Crediton and Cornwall, and Aldred took the see of Worcester. Stigand obtains two bishoprics. Pope Clement. A.D. 1048. After Gregory, Clement sat in the Roman chair nine months and six days ; and in the same year Damasus succeeded him, and sat twenty-six days ; after whose decease, Leo succeeded, and filled the chair five years, two months, and six days. Diabolical sorcery. In the days of this pope there was discovered at Rome a case of diabolical witchcraft unheard of in our times. There lived together in a cottage situated on a public road leading to Rome, two old women, both given to witchcraft. When a stranger came to them unattended, they would transform him into a horse, or swine, or some other animal, and they spent in drunkenness and gluttony the money they acquired by the sale of these animals. It happened that these women entertained a certain youth, who gained his livelihood as a jongleur and was skilful in dancing ; and in the night they transformed him into an ass, and made much gain by him ; for by the change the youth had by no means lost his understanding with his speech, but performed as an ass whatever tricks and vagaries the old women bade him. The ass's sports attracted a multitude of people who paid money to the wicked hags to witness his performance. As the ass's fame spread through the country, a certain wealthy man came and bought him of the witches for a large sum of money ; and as he took the χ 2