Charlemagne is Crowned Holy Roman Emperor 800
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On Christmas day 800 Charlemagne, King of the Franks, was crowned Emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo III, in Saint Peter's Basilica Rome.
Leo had proven to be less compliant than expected by those that had secured his election, and they had resolved to replace him. It was thought that serious mutilation would make him incapable of carrying out the role of Pope. On the 25th of April 799 Leo was ambushed, blinded and an attempt made to cut out his tongue. However, he escaped from the monastery where he being held, and made his way to Charlemagne. Following negotiations Leo was restored as Pope in Rome, and in November 800 Charlemagne was in Rome to preside over an inquiry into accusations of fornication and perjury against Leo. Charlemagne declared, under advice of the Northumbrian deacon Alcuin, that the Pope was not answerable to any of his inferiors. On the 23rd of December Leo was allowed to make a public declaration of his innocence. Two days later he crowned Charlemagne.1
- 1. Early Medieval Europe, 300-1000. Palgrave History of Europe (Palgrave Macmillan, 2010). pp 290-1.
