Page 44 - History of Christianity - Student Textbook

Who was Charlemagne?

Holy Roman Empire 962-1800 AD

The Holy Roman Empire originates in the eastern
half of Charlemagne's empire, divided after his
death. In 800, Charlemagne had received from
the pope the title of Emperor (Imperator
Augustus), reminiscent of the title held by
Roman emperors, both in the Rome of old and in
the Byzantium of the time. In 962 Otto I the
Great reclaimed the imperial dignity which had
lost all prestige and was conferred by popes on
bit players in Italian politics. This is usually taken
to be the founding date of the Holy Roman
Empire.

The Holy Roman Empire evolved over time into a
limited elective monarchy, and at the same time
a state composed of many states. At its head
stood an elected emperor (Kaiser), who was the
sole sovereign and monarch of Germany. The
exercise of his power was considerably limited,
however, by a body representing the member
states, the Imperial Diet (Reichstag). Although
the various princes and lords of the Empire were
all his vassals and subjects, they possessed a
number of privileges that brought them close to
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