HIST-102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 40: Saxon Rebellion, Fulrad, Great Assembly
10 Oct 2020
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The carolingian empire conferment of the imperial crown could establish a dangerous precedent that undercut, if only in a symbolic way, carolingian authority. And symbolism counted for a good deal in the early middle ages. This scenario is almost certainly not what happened in charlemagne"s case, but it is probable that something in his coronation ceremony displeased him. A second level of symbolism probably figured into the coronation as well. Like a modern politician who coordinates speeches and ribbon-cutting ceremonies to coincide with significant anniversaries, charlemagne very likely chose this year for his coronation precisely for its symbolic, era-making value. Western relations with byzantium had been strained ever since constantine moved the capital eastward in the fourth century. Charlemagne"s assumption of the imperial title, however, changed all that. The byzantines were hardly pleased by this claim but for the moment there was little they could do about it.
