Charlemagne Judges Pope Leo III: Emperor vs Pope in the Vatican
Pope Leo III staggered into St. Peter's, his face still scarred from the Roman mob that tried to gouge out his eyes and cut out his tongue six months earlier. His own nephews led the attack. Now Charlemagne sat in judgment — not just of the accusations against Leo, but of whether a king could judge a pope at all. The proceedings lasted one day. Leo swore an oath, Charlemagne declared him innocent, and three days later the pope crowned Charlemagne emperor. The timing wasn't coincidence. Leo needed protection. Charlemagne needed legitimacy. They struck the deal that would define church and state for the next thousand years.
December 1, 800
1226 years ago
Key Figures & Places
What Else Happened on December 1
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se produce la batalla de Falconara.
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