In the 13th century, Rome was torn between the Guelphs and Ghibellines, factions fighting for control between the papacy and the Holy Roman Empire.
The Guelphs and Ghibellines: Rome’s 13th-Century Power Struggle
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Holy Roman Empire
The Coronation of Charlemagne: The Birth of the Holy Roman Empire
On Christmas Day in 800 CE, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor in St. Peter’s Basilica, shaping the course of European history.
The Investiture Controversy: Pope Gregory VII vs. Emperor Henry IV
In the 11th century, Pope Gregory VII and Emperor Henry IV clashed over the right to appoint bishops, igniting the Investiture Controversy.
