History Shorts: Charlemagne is crowned Roman Emperor (800 A.D.)

Charlemagne is considered the “Father of Europe.” His reign ushered in a cultural renaissance in the midst of the Dark Ages. During his tenure, Charlemagne fought the Muslims in Spain, protected the Papacy, and united Western Europe for the first time since Rome’s collapse. In 800, Pope Leo III crowned him the Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas Day. The act culminated Charlemagne’s life and career. At the same time, it helped establish religious authority and control over secular governments. 1000 years later, Napoleon crowned himself in the pope’s presence to avoid any possibility that religious leaders could claim dominance over his empire.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGkUNK8kmDw