Medieval Europe

Later Popes, up to 900

Leo III (795-816):

This is the one who appealed to Charlemagne for help and eventually crowned him on Christmas Day, 800. Leo's action would serve as precedent for later popes who claimed the right and power to make (and unmake) emperors.

Nicholas I (858-867)

A strong pope, who rebuked Lothair II, king of Lotharingia (855-869) for an illegal second marriage. Nicholas actually compelled Lothair to take his first wife back. He also deposed two German bishops who had supported the king in the matter. The letters exchanged in this affair provided important precedents for later popes.

Some time during the 9th century were created some papal decrees that affirmed that bishops could be deposed only by the pope, not by lay lords. Although forgeries, for they claimed to date from much earlier, they were generally accepted as genuine during the Middle Ages.

Also during this time was created the Donation of Constantine. Also a forgery, it was a document in which the Emperor Constantine allegedly gave the lands of central Italy to the papacy. This document formed the keystone to papal claims to temporal power in Italy.

History of Western Civilization

E.L. Skip Knox
Boise State University

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