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2 February 962Reputable source · 2 sourcesWell documented

Otto I is crowned Holy Roman Emperor, moving the imperial title to Germany

The German kingdom takes over an office Charlemagne's family line had let lapse

On the timeline · around 2 February 962 · Feudal Europe Takes ShapeThe Carolingian AgeFeudal Europe Takes ShapeOtto I is crowned Holy Roman Emperor, moving the imperial title to Germany900 CE925 CE950 CE975 CE10001025

Quick facts

Location
Rome
Crowned by
Pope John XII
Wife
Adelaide of Italy
Treaty
Privilegium Ottonianum

What happened

After Charlemagne's imperial line in Middle Francia died out, the title of emperor went unused while Middle Francia broke apart into competing kingdoms. In the 10th century, the Italian noblewoman Adelaide asked Otto I, King of Germany, for help against rivals threatening her position in Italy. Otto invaded northern Italy, restored order, married Adelaide, and continued on to Rome, where Pope John XII, grateful for the stability Otto's forces had brought, crowned him emperor on 2 February 962. The two also concluded the Privilegium Ottonianum, a treaty regulating relations between emperor and pope.

Why it matters

Otto's coronation permanently moved the imperial title from the old Frankish heartland to the German kingdom, creating what later became known as the Holy Roman Empire, an elective confederation of German and Italian territories that would last, at least on paper, until 1806 and would repeatedly clash with the papacy over where ultimate authority lay.

How we know

The coronation and the accompanying treaty are recorded in contemporary German chronicles and confirmed by the surviving text of the Privilegium Ottonianum itself.

Sources

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