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accusers laid waste with their forces the dominions of the Church, and sent the heads of the accusation to Charles the Great. But he, before a year was yet completed, sent back the Pope with a great retinue of attendants to Rome. The nobles and bishops from Francia [between the Loire and the Seine], who attended upon him, examined the chief of his accusers at Rome, and sent them into Francia for imprisonment. This happened in the year 799. In the next year Charles himself went to Rome, and on an appointed day presided over a Council of Italian and Frank bishops, to hear both sides. But when the adversaries of the Pope expected that they should be heard, the Council determined, that he, who was the supreme judge, was too great to be judged by any one except him- self : upon which he in a solemn speech professed his innocence before the people, and was thus regarded as acquitted. A short time afterwards, on the day on which the memory of the Lord’s birthday was celebrated, the Roman people, who hitherto had elected their own bishops, and who thought that they and their Senate duly possessed the rights of the ancient Senate and people of Rome, elected Charles as Emperor, and submitted themselves to him in the same manner in which the ancient Roman empire and its Senate were formerly subject to the Roman emperors. The Pope placed a diadem upon his head, and anointed him with sacred oil, and adored him with bended knees, as was formerly done to the Roman em- perors ; the poet above quoted relating it in these words : — c There- fore after the giving of praises, the chief Pontiff also adored the same, as was formerly the custom due to great princes.’1
u On the other hand, the Emperor bound himself by this oath to the Pope : — ‘ In the name of Christ, I, Charles the Emperor, vow and promise, in the presence of God and the blessed Apostle Peter, that I will be the protector and defender of this holy Roman Church, in all its interests, as far as I shall be supported by the Divine aid, according to my knowdedge and ability.’ Moreover the Emperor was also created Consul of the city of Rome, and his son Pepin was crowned King of Italy ; and from that time he wished that his name should be written in this manner : c The most serene Charles Augus- tus, crowned by God, the mighty, the peace-maker, governing the Empire of Rome, or Emperor of the Romans :’ and prayers were offered for him in the churches at Rome. From this time also the
1 Post laudes igitur dictas et summus eundem Pnesul adoravit, sicut mos debitus olim Principibus fuit antiquis.
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