The Historians' History of the World 08

752 Stephen II dies before his consecration. Usually not reckoned in list of popes. Stephen II or III.

755 Pepin of France forces Aistulf, the Lombard king, to relinquish all territory taken from the exarch and the pope. Ravenna, Pentapolis, and other territory turned over to the pope. “The Donation of Pepin.” The foundations of the papal states are laid. Pepin bestows title of Patrician of Rome on the king of the Franks.

757 Paul I. The Lombards do not encroach upon the papacy.

767 On death of Paul, Toto, duke of Nepi, compels a bishop to ordain one of his brothers, Constantine, a layman. He discharges all the offices of pontiff for a year, when

768 Desiderius, the Lombard king, sends a band to rescue Rome. Constantine is seized. Election of Stephen III or IV. All of Constantine’s acts are declared null and void. Cruel treatment of Constantine.

772 Adrian I. Troubles with the Lombards are renewed. Adrian appeals to Charlemagne.

774 Charlemagne captures Desiderius in Pavia, and assumes title of king of the Lombards. End of the Lombard kingdom. Charlemagne gives a large amount of territory to the pope. “Donation of Charlemagne.” Adrian takes possession of the exarchate, with all power and privileges of a temporal prince.

780 The pope summons Charlemagne to protect him against a coalition of his Byzantine enemies. Peace is purchased.

786 Charlemagne reduces Arichis of Benevento to subjection. The pope’s dominions extend to Calabria.

795 Leo III. He recognises the supremacy of Charlemagne.

799 Assault, attempted mutilation, and imprisonment of Leo by an armed band headed by his nephews. Leo escapes to Charlemagne, but returns to Rome.

800 Charlemagne goes to Rome to inquire into charges against Leo. Leo crowns him emperor. Foundation of the empire of Charlemagne. The pope and emperor begin the upbuilding of the fabric of the Middle Ages. The pope is subordinate to the emperor.

816 Stephen IV. He is unpopular, and makes the Romans swear fealty to the emperor. Is compelled to take refuge with Louis le Débonnaire. Returns to Rome, and dies.

817 Paschal I. Assumes pontificate without imperial sanction. The Romans, admonished by the emperor, agree not to allow this again.

824 Eugenius II.

827 Valentinus dies in five weeks. Gregory IV. He mediates between Louis le Débonnaire and his sons. His pontificate is uneventful, but materially advances pretensions of the hierarchy.

844 Sergius II consecrated without consent of the emperor Lothair. Lothair sends his son, Louis, with an army to Rome, but his meeting with the pope is amicable. Louis II made king of Lombardy.

847 Leo IV. The Saracens invade Italy as far as the gates of Rome. Driven off by Louis. Leo fortifies a portion of Rome, henceforth known as the Leonine city, including the Vatican and church of St. Peter.

850 The “False Decretals” come to light.

855 Benedict III. His election contested by Anastasius, who, at head of armed faction, seizes the Lateran. The imperial legates decide in favour of Benedict, and Anastasius is expelled. Beginning of the strife between Photius and Ignatius for the see of Constantinople, which ends in the permanent schism between the eastern and western churches.

858 Nicholas I. Under him the papacy makes a signal advance in power. He interferes in the quarrel over the patriarchate of Constantinople, espousing the cause of Ignatius, and pronouncing sentence of deposition upon Photius. He adopts and declares authentic the “False Decretals,” thus establishing the principle of the sole legislative power of the pope.

861-864 Humiliation of the archbishops of Cologne, Trèves, and Ravenna. The act of archbishop Hincmar of Rheims in deposing Rothrad, bishop of Soissons, is reversed by Nicholas, on authority of the “False Decretals.”

863 Nicholas forbids Lothair II to divorce his wife.

FROM THE DEATH OF NICHOLAS I TO THE BEGINNING OF THE ERA OF PRACTICAL REFORM [867-1046 A.D.]

867 Adrian II.

868 On death of Lothair II of Lorraine, Adrian attempts to bestow that crown on the emperor Louis II. This extension of the papal prerogatives is not welcome to the German bishops, and they rebuke Adrian.

870 Hincmar renews his struggle with the pope, and the whole Frankish church arrays itself against the power of the pope in dealing directly with bishops.

872 John VIII. During his pontificate, Rome is constantly in danger from the Saracens.

875 John bestows the imperial crown on Charles the Bald, not as his right, but as a gift. Victory over Hincmar and the Frankish church by the appointment of Ansegis as primate of France.

876 Beginning of quarrel with Formosus, bishop of Porto.