Holy Roman Day – December 25th
On this day in the year 800, Charlemagne, King of the Franks, was crowned Emperor by Pope Leo III at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, which made him the most powerful leader in Europe, founded a new structure of confederation that would become the Holy Roman Empire, and birthed a hierarchy of nobility that would last for more than a millennium.
The Western Roman Empire had been dead 300 years when the Franks began to dominate Europe. By resurrecting the Empire under the Roman Catholic Church, Europe began an age of leaders by divine-right, and an organized governing system with Kings, Princes, Counts, Lords, and Paladins, that when backed by the Church could get away with most anything. European nobility continued to be ranked by their pedigree of Charlemagne-related lineage for more than a thousand years.
By crowning Charlemagne on Jesus’ birthday, Pope Leo was thanking him for his personal protection in an era of political turmoil and validating the man as mighty spiritual leader with God’s blessing. Charlemagne earned his reputation as a warrior for Christ with brutal military campaigns against Saxons, Lombards, Slavs, Gauls, and Muslims across the continent, granting his allies titles and lands, and funding his expanding empire through conquest.
Music Du Jour: Purpose by Charlemagne and Early Medieval Music Playlist and Carolingian by perspectiv
Films Du Jour:
- Charlemagne (2022 Series)
- Charlemagne – Father of the Holy Roman Empire (2023 Documentary)
- The History of Christianity (2013)
- Charlemagne (1993 French Series)
- A Knight’s Tale (2001)
Miscellaneous: Buy your own title of nobility
Snacks du Jour: Here’s a link to a historical Pork Stew dish the Franks would serve.
Cocktail Du Jour – Charlemagne Cocktail
- 5 oz gin
- 1 oz St. Germain
- 1 oz Chardonnay
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a coupe glass or martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Mocktail Du Jour – Martian Martini Mocktail
- 5 oz non-alcohol gin
- 1 oz elderflower syrup
- 1 oz non-alcohol Chardonnay
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a coupe glass or martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Beer Du Jour
Ales (without hops if you can find them) and Meads
Wine Du Jour
Red varietals available in the medieval times were Claret, Burgundy, Malmsey, and Rhenish; Whites included Malmsey Madeira, Vernage, Rhine Wine, and Muscatel.
Use freshly squeezed citrus in your cocktails and mocktails when called for – It makes such a difference! Here’s a reliable and inexpensive juicer.
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Photo credit: “Gare de Metz – vitrail de Charlemagne” by LaurPhil is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
