the name of several eminent men, particularly of nine popes. To the first of these, who was chosen pope in 418, St Augustine dedicated his four books against the two epistles of the Pelagians. The third of that name prevailed upon the emperor Phocas to consent that the title of Universal Bishop should be conferred on no other than the bishop of Rome. Boniface IV. obtained from the same emperor, the Pantheon, a famous heathen temple built by Agrippa, and converted it into a church which is now called "Our Lady della Rotunda." Several works are also attributed to him, but they appear to be spurious. Boniface VII. hath the title of antipope; because in 974 he caused Benedict VI. to be strangled in prison, and after the election of Benedict VII. removed the treasures of the church to Constantinople. He, however, at length returned after the death of Benedict, and caused his successor John XIV. to be murdered; but died himself soon after, and was dragged naked by the feet about the streets. Boniface VIII. canonized St Lewis in 1297; and in 1300 appointed the jubilee to be solemnized every 100 years after.

Boniface is also the name of a saint, who before he took that name was called Winifred, and was born at Kirton in Devonshire. He chose to go and preach the gospel among the barbarous nations; and though created archbishop of Mentz, soon after resigned his office, to go and preach in East Friesland, where he was killed by the Pagans on the 5th of June 754. His letters were published by Scarius.