Charlemagne, St Peter’s, and the Imperial Coronation
Joanna Story
Abstract This chapter returns the analysis to St Peter’s basilica, focusing on Charlemagne’s imperial coronation at Christmas 800 and inscriptions that were visible there Frankish viewers. It argues form, script, materials of epitaph made for Hadrian reflects ideas about empire current in 790s Carolingian court circles, inscription probably arrived Rome before end 796. discusses sources early years pontificate Leo III, build-up attempted assassination pope 799, which precipitated his flight from Italy Charlemagne Francia, events leading following year. Contemporary texts manuscripts are discussed, including Theodulf’s debt verse Corippus describing earlier ceremonial Constantinople. Inscriptions associated with Constantine discussed context understanding antiquity building its connection first Christian emperor. record some these inscriptions, modifications those texts, possibly done fifteenth century, serve illuminate internal struggles late medieval Church arguments surrounding veracity document known as Donation underpinned temporal powers Church. The also analyses antiquarian famous Lateran mosaic, much sixteenth century because supposed Donation, showed Pope kneeling feet Peter. closes a discussion role materiality spatial intertextuality patronage set within sacred spaces how can shape content, audience engagement such texts.
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