The Coronation of Charlemagne - what did it signify ?

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Boston. D. C. Heath and Company ( Problems in European Civilization). 1959. 101pages."THE coronation of Charles is not only the central event of the Middle Ages, it is also one of those very few events of which, taking them singly, it may be said that if they had not happened, the history of the world would have been different." Viscount Bryce.Most historians with some reservations admit that the coronation was an event of major importance in the history of Western Europe and would insist that any student who was seeking a full understanding of the broad pattern of Western European development must try to grasp the nature and the significance of the events of 800.The questions that the sources pose are relatively simple, yet fundamental. Who was responsible for the decision that resulted in the elevation of the Frankish king to the exalted dignity of emperor? What motivated those responsible to act as they did? What exactly did they think they were achieving by their extraordinary action? This book hopes to provide a representative, fairly inclusive group of answers that have been given to these questions.