![[Media/Frankish_Empire_481_to_814-en.svg.png]] By 800, Charlemagne controlled Europe from the Atlantic Ocean to the Elbe River and from the Pyrenees to the Danube. On Christmas Day, 800, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne "Emperor of the Romans", creating what would become known as the Holy Roman Empire. This revival of the title of emperor in what had been the Western Roman Empire angered the Byzantines, who sent the ultimatum, “Return to your barbarian kingdom; the Roman Empire is one and indivisible.” After 802, every male over twelve years of age was expected to swear an "Oath of Fidelity" to Charlemagne as emperor, rather than to a local lord. Charlemagne's third son, Pepin, was put in charge of Italy and fought several small battles against Byzantine outposts or allies such as Venice. In the 812 Treaty of Aachen (Germany), the Byzantine Empire recognized Charlemagne as "Emperor" (but not "of Rome") and the Franks gave back Venice and coastal Dalmatia. The east kept face, but the Franks kept most of the land. ----- Next: [[10.8 - Carolingian Culture]] Back: [[10.6 - Charlemagne]]