Charlemagne and the Imperial Coronation

This mural depicts Pope Leo III placing the crown of the Western Roman Empire on Charlemagne's head in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Charlemagne was a king of the Carolingian dynasty, which rose after the Merovingian dynasty of the Frankish kingdom.

He is one of the most important figures in European history, often called the "Father of Europe." He is regarded as the founder of the Holy Roman Empire, and major Western European countries such as France, Germany, and Italy trace their lineage to the Western and Eastern Frankish realms that emerged when the Frankish kingdom split apart. That's why France and Germany sometimes think of him as their own first king. Having shaped so many European nations, he goes by a different name in each: Charlemagne in France, Carlo Magno in Italy, and a form of Charles in English.

So why did the pope crown him? At the time, Rome was divided into east and west. The Eastern Empire was strong, while the Western Empire had collapsed and papal power had hit rock bottom. Charlemagne, meanwhile, was a formidable king steadily taking over territories once ruled by the Western Empire. The pope needed him to restore his weakened religious authority. Until then, popes had been appointed by emperors rather than the other way around. This coronation let the pope show that he too could appoint and confirm an emperor.

But with that goal in mind, Leo III had little choice but to defer to the Frankish king, and members of the pope's own circle who resented this plotted to assassinate him. Sensing danger, Leo appealed to Charlemagne for help, and Charlemagne surely saw another opportunity. He came to Rome, arrested the opponents who had tried to kill the pope, and had them put on trial. In effect, the king protected the pope with his own power.

Then came a surprise. Charlemagne hadn't gone to St. Peter's to receive a crown. It was Christmas, and he was there to attend Mass. Without any prior discussion, Leo III placed the imperial crown of the Western Roman Empire on his head, in effect appointing him Roman emperor. It was a hastily arranged event by a pope who wanted to keep Charlemagne's protection and preserve his own authority. From then on, Charlemagne was called emperor, and this symbolic ceremony in which the pope confirms an emperor became an established tradition.

From that moment, Charlemagne wielded even greater power as the first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. It was a win-win for both pope and king.