"Mistress of the Vatican: The True Story of Olimpia Maidalchini: The Secret Female Pope" by Eleanor Herman

This "forgotten story" of the Vatican relays not only the life of 17th Cenutry Papal puppet-master Olimpia Maidalchini, but the political and social history of her age, including glimpses of art and architecture, family relations, medical care, religious traditions and daily life.

Author exposes one of the church's deepest secrets, laying bare facts that have been concealed for 350 years. Beginning in 1644 and for eleven years after, Olimpia Maidalchini, sister-in-law and reputed mistress of the indecisive Pope Innocent X, directed Vatican business, appointed cardinals, negotiated with foreign ambassadors, and helped herself to a heaping portion of the Papal State's treasury.

Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part One: The Girl from Viterbo
Chapter One: The Convent
Chapter Two: The Wealthy Landowner's Wife
Chapter Three: The Roman Noblewoman
Chapter Four: The Brother-in-Law
Chapter Five: The Papal Nuncio
Chapter Six: Cardinals
Chapter Seven: The Black Widow
Chapter Eight: Conclave
Part Two: The Female Pope
Chapter Nine: The Vicar of Christ
Chapter Ten: Celebrations
Chapter Eleven: Women in the Vatican
Chapter Twelve: Vengeance on the Barberinis
Chapter Thirteen: The Despised Daughter-in-Law
Chapter Fourteen: The Imbecile Cardinals
Photographic Insert
Chapter Fifteen: Birth, Famine, and Bitter Peace
Chapter Sixteen: The Shoulder of Saint Francesca
Chapter Seventeen: The Holy Jubilee Year
Chapter Eighteen: Crisis of Conscience
Part Three: Unforgiveness
Chapter Nineteen: Honor and Dishonor
Chapter Twenty: Olimpia's Triumphant Return
Chapter Twenty-One: The Sudden Disgrace of Cardinal Astalli
Chapter Twenty-Two: Death of the Dove
Chapter Twenty-Three: Unforgiveness
Chapter Twenty-Four: Pope Alexander VII
Chapter Twenty-Five: The Two Queens of Rome
Chapter Twenty-Six: The Scourge of God
Chapter Twenty-Seven: After Olimpia
Notes
Bibliography
Index
About the Author
Also by Eleanor Herman
Credits
Copyright Notice
About the Publisher