Research Paper on:
Charlemagne's Coronation

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both short term and long term. This earned him the title of "Emperor of Rome in the West". The story of Charlemagnes coronation bears such great prominence in history  because with his ascension to the throne the status and power of the Holy Church was assured. His other effects on the direction of the country lay in his very  successful domestic policies which ensured and demanded that the sons of noblemen learn to read and write. He built churches and monasteries encouraging conversion of the conquered peoples. This, of  course, was not due to piety, but rather he believed that once converted to Christianity the German pagans would stop causing trouble. However, the coronation had not yet  taken place in Rome. As the legend has it, after Charlemagne quelled the Lombard forces which had run amuck in Italy, and while situated in prayer, Pope Leo II picked  up a crown, set it on Charlemagnes head and declared him King of the West and Rome. However, this is where most historians diverge. Brian Terney, states that while  this legend is interesting fairy tale material, it has little resemblance to what probably really happened. Generally speaking, it would have been considered in poor taste for the monarch to  declare himself King, or to seem eager for the post. Instead, it seemed more pious to have Charlemagne modestly refuse the crown. In fact, Tierney, states that what probably  happened was that Charlemagne and the Pope planned this from the beginning. As powerful as the Pope had become in Italy, he still could not, nor would not, have perpetrated  such an impulsive act. Linking himself with the church only made Charlemagnes reputation grow. This was a win win situation for the church and for Charlemagne. Long term, this would