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The Bust of Charlemagne. Photo by Beckstet.

Top 10 Facts about Charlemagne Becoming Holy Roman Emperor

Charlemagne also known by the name, Charles the great was the King of the Franks, King of the Lombards as well as the first Emperor of the Romans. He was the first son to Bertrada of Laon and Pepin the Short and he was born before their canonical marriage.

Charlemagne was born on 2^nd April 747 and became very successful in uniting the majority of Central and Western Europe. He was also recognized as the first ruler of Western Europe after the fall of the Western Roman Empire which had happened three centuries prior. Charlemagne ruled side by side with his brother after their father died in 768 and after his brother died in 771, he remained to be the only king of the Franks. After he was left as the sole ruler, he continued his father’s policy by removing the Lombards from power in Northern Italy.

Charlemagne has also been referred to as the father of Europe for his massive efforts to unite Western Europe for the first time since the classical era. After his death, he was succeeded by Louis, and most of his wealth was left to the church to be used for charity.

 Below are the top ten facts about Charlemagne becoming Holy Roman Emperor

1. He was Crowned Holy Roman Empire by Pope Leo III

Imperial Coronation of Charlemagne. Photo by Friedrich Kaulbach.

Charlemagne was crowned the Holy Roman Empire on December 25 800 at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. As a way of reinforcing his relationship with the church and acknowledging the power of Charlemagne, he was crowned the emperor by Pope Leo III.

Charlemagne showed massive support for the church during his reign as a zealous defender of Christianity. He also gave his money and land to the Christian church and also protected the popes.

2. As Holy Roman Emperor, he Proved to be a Talented Diplomat

When Charlemagne was crowned the Holy Roman Emperor he proved to be a wonderful administrator as well as a talented diplomat. He also managed to control a vast area as he promoted education and encouraged the Carolingian Renaissance. He also played a significant role in religious reforms and instituted economics. As a talented ruler, he was able to protect and defend his land and also unite his people.

3. He was Crowned Holy Roman Emperor to Show Rome’s Independence

Coronation of Charlemagne, drawing by Julius Schnorr von Karolsfeld.

One of the reasons why Charlemagne was crowned as the Holy Roman Emperor was to show that Rome had independence from the Greek Empire in Constantinople. It was during the same time that Charlemagne had turned his back on the Muslim invasion of Europe and Peppin had also subdued the Lombards. The eastern part of the Roman Empire had also increased in power and authority since the fourth century.

4. He Forced the German Tribes to become Christians

Due to his commitment to Christianity, Charlemagne used his military might and forced some of the German tribes to become Christians. The people were first baptized and then converted to Christianity which made Charlemagne to be recognized as the master of the French kingdom.

He is however blamed for the Viking invasions which caused several troubles in Europe for over a century. He is known for his hard work that provided a good and unified organization for his massive empire.

5. He Earned a Reputation of Ruthlessness

Photo by Ary Scheffer. Wikimedia commons

Charlemagne earned a reputation for ruthlessness after he waged a battle against the Saxons for three decades. The Saxons was a small Tribe of German and Charlemagne was able to slaughter about 4500 Saxons during the battle in 782.

Eventually, he managed to force the Saxons to convert to Christianity. He also put a decree that whoever did not get baptized or follow the Christian traditions would be put to death.

6. Charlemagne Hosted Pope Leo III at Paderborn

After Pope Leo III escape from the assault of the Romans, he found safety in Charlemagne’s hands at Paderborn. The Romans wanted to put out his eyes and also tear out his tongue but he was lucky to flee.

Charlemagne afterward traveled back to Rome with the Pope who later swore an oath of innocence to him. Charlemagne later knelt at the altar and the Pope prayed for him and crowned him Emperor of the Romans.

7. There are Controversies about the Coronation

There are however some debates around the coronation whether Charlemagne was aware of the Pope’s intentions to crown him as the emperor. Some people argue that Charlemagne claimed that if he knew the intentions of the Pope, he would not have entered Saint Peter that day. But there are questions on why the pope gave him the role and why he accepted.

8. The Roman Empire Remained a Significant Power in European Politics

Photo by Myrabella.

The Roman Empire remained a significant power in European politics for both the Pope and Charlemagne. The title allowed the new emperor to make significant changes in the traditional styles as well as the procedures of the government. He also risked alienating the Frankish leadership by putting more focus on Italy or the Mediterranean.

9. Charlemagne remained Indivisible with the Pope after Coronation

After the coronation of Charlemagne by Pope Leo III, they both remained very close and indivisible with Charles as their Emperor. Although there were several doubts about the coronation process the people did not know that position would be furiously contested in Constantinople. The pope also managed to create for himself a superior position over the emperor after the coronation.

10. Charlemagne Crowned his Son the Emperor Before his Death

Charlemagne also had the opportunity to crown his only surviving legitimate son as the co-emperor before his death. Louis the Pious who was then the king of Aquitaine and the only surviving son was made the emperor and sent back to Aquitaine. He was then left hunting during the autumn and later in January he fell ill with pleurisy and passed on about the same time.

Charlemagne was a very prominent ruler who was crowned the Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III after offering him safety from the Romans. He was also recognized as the father of the emperor after becoming the emperor three centuries later from the fall of the western Roman Empire.