Forging Papal Authority: Charters from the Monastery of Montier-en-Der
Constance B. Bouchard
“We confirm with all our authority, to the abbot of that house, everything predecessors as popes granted them in writing, well letters beloved son Charlemagne … possessions monastery be under protection and defense inviolable apostolic privilege, is has been or will given church.” Thus read a papal privilege created second half eleventh century at Benedictine Montier-en-Der, purported have monks three centuries earlier. By forging documents time difficulties, sought demonstrate they had powerful allies, who would help even if local counts bishops did not.
Church History