Charlemagne is Crowned Emperor by Pope Leo III
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Charlemagne was the founder of the Frankish Empire and did much to spread Christianity across Europe. On Christmas Day, 800 CE, he was crowned Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire by Pope Leo III. This was unexpected at the time but was designed to send the message that the church stands above the state because only the pope has the authority to crown someone as temporal leader of Christendom.
