# Charlemagne crowned emperor (800)

URL: https://history-france.com/timeline/800-charlemagne-crowned-emperor
Location: Rome
Categories: main-event

Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne emperor, reviving an imperial title in western Europe. Within the broader Frankish Kingdoms period, Merovingian and Carolingian rulers built large Frankish realms over former Roman Gaul. Conversion, aristocratic power, church institutions and imperial expansion laid foundations for medieval France. At this point in the timeline, the relevant governing authority is Charlemagne (King of the Franks; Emperor). Charlemagne crowned emperor is a useful marker in the longer transformation of political authority, society and culture in France. The event is positioned here so visitors can read it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion, culture and France’s wider international setting.

## Why it matters
Charlemagne crowned emperor is a useful marker in the longer transformation of political authority, society and culture in France.

Ruler at the time: [Charlemagne](https://history-france.com/rulers/charlemagne)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Charlemagne crowned emperor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Charlemagne+crowned+emperor&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Charlemagne crowned emperor](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Charlemagne+crowned+emperor)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of French history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_French_history)