Editing Pope Stephen VIII (section)

===Domestic difficulties===
The continuing domination of the [[counts of Tusculum]] was evident throughout Stephen's pontificate, and the period is thus known as ''[[Saeculum obscurum]]''. Although Stephen was subject to [[Alberic II of Spoleto]] and did not in reality rule the [[Papal States]], Stephen himself was not a member of that family, nor had he any relationship with Alberic's mother, [[Marozia]], who had dominated Roman and papal politics during the preceding decades.{{Sfnp|Mann|1910|p=217}} Stephen was, however, caught up in the ongoing conflict between Alberic and King [[Hugh of Italy]], with Hugh besieging Rome in 940.{{Sfnp|Mann|1910|p=215}} After a failed attempt to assassinate him, which involved a number of bishops, Alberic cracked down on any potential dissent in Rome, with his enemies either scourged, beheaded or imprisoned. If there is any truth to [[Martin of Opava]]’s account of the torture and maiming of Stephen VIII by supporters of Alberic, it must have occurred at this juncture, in the aftermath of the conspiracy, and just prior to Stephen's death.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Norwich |first=John Julius |author-link=John Julius Norwich |title=The Popes: A History |date=2011 |page=76}}</ref>

On 17 August 942, Alberic summoned a council in Rome, where he demonstrated his control over the papacy by making use of various papal officials, such as the [[primicerius]], the [[Notarius|secundicerius of the notaries]], and the [[vestararius]].{{Sfnp|Mann|1910|pp=215–216}} Stephen died during October 942, and was succeeded by [[Marinus II]].