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The Coronation of CharlemagneThrough out history rulers and those in power have often sought greater control and attempted to secure more authority. During the Middle Ages power was usually obtained by either being victorious in battle, inheritance, or by entering in some sort of contract. One of the most powerful of all rulers during the Middle Ages was Charlemagne other wise know as “Charles the Great”. With the start of Charlemagne’s rule he was constantly engaged in military campaigns creating a vast empire and rapidly becoming one of the most powerful men of his time. However it is not his military rise to power that historians question rather it is acceptance of secular coronation and taking on the role of “Roman Emperor”. The fundamental question of “Did Charlemagne desire to be crowned by Pope Leo III?” or “Was he merely caught by surprise as he would like history to believe?” arises. If one were to believe what Einhard reported Charlemagne as saying “That he would not have come into the church had he known the Pope's plan” then the answer to the earlier question would be “No”. After further research of the question one can see that Charlemagne had much to gain from this new title and the benefits vastly outweighed any ill sentiments in his Car . . .
Charlemagne had accomplished more that any other one person in Western Europe since the fall of the Roman Empire. First the coronation solidified Charlemagne as the most powerful leader of Western Europe and second it united the Roman Catholic Church with Charlemagne’s Carolingian empire. One has to remember that Christianity played an intricate role in most of the lives of the European people and now that he had been anointed by the church “Roman Emperor” his influence stretched far past where his military might could have taken it. By allying with the church Charlemagne now possessed both the secular and political support he needed to strengthen his realm. Charlemagne gained praise throughout Europe for his exceptional military ability, determination, and success. Charlemagne came from a long line of powerful leaders; he was the son of Pepin the Short, and the grandson of Charles Martel. In 772 he launched a 30 year campaign to conquer his hostile pagan neighbors. He engaged in more than 50 military campaigns against neighboring Germanic peoples including the Avars, Slavs, Byzantines, and the Moors. He was too powerful of a leader not to have known Pope Leo III plans a head of time an too intelligent not to have seen the benefits of this act. Being crowned Roman Emperor made Charlemagne more appealing to others in European powers, such as the Byzantines, who may have not agreed with his political and military tactics, but honored the church and Christianity. In 771 at the age of 29 Charlemagne became sole ruler of the Franks. The possession of land during Charlemagne’s time equaled power and as the conquerable land resources dried up so did some of his influence. ” By accepting the title of Roman Emperor on Christmas Day 800 Charlemagne firmly placed himself as the most powerful person in Western Europe not only for his cunning and military prowess, but also because he was now backed by the an even more powerful force the church and God. Common topics in this essay: | |||
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