Maginulf was elected antipope Silvester in 1105 A.D.
The term antipope designated a person who strives to take the papacy from the duly elected pope. He usually gains some recognition but does not succeed in taking the papacy.
At his ascension to Maginulf took on the name Silvester, sometimes spelled Sylvester. The pope used his forces to kick Silvester and his followers out of Rome. A German king named Henry gave some support to Silvester while Henry had some conflict with the current Pope. Eventually, Henry and the Pope reconciled and dismissed Silvester, who died shortly after.
How many antipopes became popes? Winners generally write history.
One response to “Today in Religion – Antipope Silvester”
[…] Pope Alexander III spent most of his papacy in exile due to a disagreement with Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. He worried that the church would have to do what the Emperor said, instead of the Emperor taking advice from the Pope. The conflict lasted years resulting in antipopes. […]