800 Coronation of Charlemagne (r. 768-814)as Roman Emperor. Byzantines forfeitingright to title of Roman emperor because…

In 800, woman on Byzantine throne

Civil wars and usurpations

Impiety/non-Catholicity of ByzantineEmperors

Constantinople

12th c. General acceptance of need for emperorto be crowned by pope, and that Germanking had right to position of Holy RomanEmperor

Elective principal within group of royal families

“Electoral College”: Archbishops of Cologne,Mainz, Trier; King of Bohemia; CountPalatine of Rhine; Duke of Saxony;Margrave of Brandenburg

Coronation by pope:

Could be refused, or pope could deposeemperor

Innocent III: claim of papal right to settledisputed elections and rule empire ifthrone vacant

Divine right of kings

Constraints on royal power:

1. Question of succession: influence ofnobility

2. Constraints of the church

3. Influence of divine law:Lk 22: 38: “two swords”

4. Influence of the law: natural, customaryand 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 fromservile obligations

Paying rent rather than service

Security from seizure of property

12th c. Growth of communes, leagues, guilds:electing officials, conducting own legalaffairs

1140s Attempt to revive Roman Republic inRome

1155 Collapse of revolt in Rome

Spread of city-states

Increasing influence of administrativeand military institutions in runningstates

Decreased role of women