Continued
from previous post -
After
being physically attacked by his enemies in the streets of Rome, Pope
Leo III made his way in 799 through the Alps to visit Charlemagne at
Paderborn. It is not known what was agreed between the two, but
Charlemagne traveled to Rome in 800 to support the pope. In a
ceremony in St Peter's Basilica, on Christmas Day, Leo was supposed
to anoint Charlemagne's son as his heir. However, unexpectedly (it is
maintained), as Charlemagne rose from prayer, the pope placed a crown
on his head and acclaimed him emperor. It is reported that
Charlemagne expressed displeasure but accepted the honor. The
displeasure was probably diplomatic, for the legal emperor was
supposed to be seated in Constantinople. Nevertheless, this public
alliance between the pope and the ruler of a confederation of
Germanic tribes was a reflection of the reality of political power in
the west. This coronation launched the concept of the new Holy Roman
Empire, which would play an important role throughout the middle
Ages. The Holy Roman Empire only became formally established in the
next century. Nevertheless, the concept is implicit in the title
adopted by Charlemagne in 800:
'Charles,
most serene Augustus, crowned by God, great and pacific emperor,
governing the Roman Empire.'
In
the process for more authority, subsequent Popes continue to play
more and more political games rather than any religious authority of
spreading message of Jesus of righteousness to masses. They actually
forgot that they represent a divine authority and should not indulge
in temporal activity. Consequently, things happened those were
inevitable. However, their justification of their indulgence in
political activity by suggesting that having political hold on the
country gives them better leverage to hold on the faithful. If King
is in hand, rest of the junta comes easily in the hands of the
Church.
Influence of powerful Roman families 904–1048
The
period beginning with the installation of Pope Sergius III in 904 and
lasting for sixty years until the death of Pope John XII in 964 is
sometimes referred to as Saeculum obscurum or the "dark age."
Historian Will Durant refers to the period from 867 to 1049 as the
"nadir of the papacy". During this period, the popes were
controlled by a powerful and corrupt aristocratic family, the
Theophylacti, and their relatives.
Emperors
and popes: 962-1250
The
imperial role accorded by the pope to Charlemagne
in 800 is handed on in
increasingly desultory fashion during the 9th century. From 924 it
falls into abeyance. However, in 962 a pope once again needs help
against his Italian enemies. Again, he appeals to a strong German
ruler.
The coronation of Otto I by Pope John XII in 962 marks a revival of the concept of a Christian emperor in the west. It is also the beginning of an unbroken line of Holy Roman emperors lasting for more than eight centuries. Otto I, does not call himself Roman emperor, but his son Otto II, uses the title - as a clear statement of western and papal independence from the other Christian emperor in Constantinople.
Otto and his son
and grandson (Otto II and Otto III) regard the imperial crown as a
mandate to control the papacy. They dismiss Popes at their will and
install replacements more to their liking (sometimes even changing
their mind and repeating the process). The 'Key of the kingdom of
heaven', lost its purpose. This power, together with territories
covering much of central Europe, gives the German empire and the
imperial title great prestige in the late 10th century. Throughout
this Jesus was never seen anywhere in the activities of The Church.
Continues
in the next post -
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