Transcript slides

800 Coronation of Charlemagne (r. 768-814)
as Roman Emperor. Byzantines forfeiting
right to title of Roman emperor because…
In 800, woman on Byzantine throne
Civil wars and usurpations
Impiety/non-Catholicity of Byzantine
Emperors
Constantinople
12th c. General acceptance of need for emperor
to be crowned by pope, and that German
king had right to position of Holy Roman
Emperor
Elective principal within group of royal families
“Electoral College”: Archbishops of Cologne,
Mainz, Trier; King of Bohemia; Count
Palatine of Rhine; Duke of Saxony;
Margrave of Brandenburg
Coronation by pope:
Could be refused, or pope could depose
emperor
Innocent III: claim of papal right to settle
disputed elections and rule empire if
throne vacant
Divine right of kings
Constraints on royal power:
1. Question of succession: influence of
nobility
2. Constraints of the church
3. Influence of divine law:
Lk 22: 38: “two swords”
4. Influence of the law: natural, customary
and canon law
Church as alternative model:
1. Blend of monarchy/elective system
2. Widespread use of elective principal
3. Paper-based bureaucracy
11th c. Towns seeking greater independence
Increased self-rule, freedom from
servile obligations
Paying rent rather than service
Security from seizure of property
12th c. Growth of communes, leagues, guilds:
electing officials, conducting own legal
affairs
1140s Attempt to revive Roman Republic in
Rome
1155 Collapse of revolt in Rome
Spread of city-states
Increasing influence of administrative
and military institutions in running
states
Decreased role of women