1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Church as alternative model: 1. Blend of monarchy/elective system 2. Widespread use of elective principal 3. Paper-based bureaucracy

6. 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

7. 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