Charlemagne's Coronation: Emperor or King (800 CE)
by Anonymous
Pope Leo III offered to crown Charlemagne as Roman Emperor on Christmas Day. Accepting meant claiming succession to Rome but also acknowledging papal authority over imperial legitimacy.
Accept Imperial Crown
800 CE
year
Claim to universal European authority
political implication
Pope crowns emperor — sets precedent
religious dimension
Accepted — created Holy Roman Empire concept
outcome
Remain King of the Franks
800 CE
year
Strong but regional authority
political implication
No papal dependency
religious dimension
Not chosen
outcome
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