10 Famous People Who Never Actually Existed

4. Pope Joan

The myth of the infamous Pope Joan lasted in the far-flung corners of Europe for centuries - but it is now widely believed that the female "Holy Mother" never actually reigned during the 9th Century. Supposedly Joan was a pious and talented woman who disguised herself as a man named John Anglicus and, due to her undoubted abilities, rose quickly through the Catholic Church and was eventually elected to the papacy. Then, as the legend goes, Joan gave birth while riding on horseback and died shortly afterwards - either through natural causes or due to murder.

The Vatican were apparently so appalled by this episode that they deleted her existence from papal records and crafted a ritual that would mean only males could rise to the position of Pope. Statues and busts of Joan were even erected - including one in Siena Cathedral - and she was mentioned in numerous medieval works, although some scholars now claim she was a satirical figure used to represent Pope John XI. This may or may not be true - but what is known is that Joan's existence was not clarified until Pope Clement VIII officially denied the story in 1601. Things are never straightforward with the papacy, are they?