Charlemagne Judges Pope Leo III: Papacy and Empire United
Charlemagne sat in judgment of a pope. The charges against Leo III were serious—perjury, adultery, simony—brought by nephews of his predecessor who'd ambushed him in the street, tried to gouge out his eyes and cut out his tongue. Leo had fled over the Alps to Charlemagne's court. Now the Frankish king convened bishops in Rome to hear the case. But here's the twist: the assembled clergy declared no earthly court could judge the pope. Leo swore his innocence on the Gospels instead. Two days later, Charlemagne knelt before him for coronation as emperor.
December 1, 800
1226 years ago
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