Page "Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor" Paragraph 28

With Otto III was still a child and his regent, his mother the Empress Theophanu, absent from Italy, Crescentius II took the title of Patricius Romanorum ( Patrician of the Romans ) and became the effective ruler of the city, though he did not act entirely independent of the imperial authority, presenting himself as a lieutenant of the Emperor.

When Boniface VII died in 985, Pope John XV was elected to succeed him.

Though the particulars of the election are unknown, it is likely Crescentius II played a key role in the process.

For a number of years Crescentius II exercised authority over the city, severely limiting the autonomy of the pope in the process.

When the Empress Theophanu was in Rome between 989 and 991, Crescentius II nominally subordinated himself to her, though maintained his position as ruler of the city.