Letter 11

From: Alcuin of York, scholar and court theologian To: Charlemagne, King of the Franks Date: ~799 AD Context: Alcuin writes to Charlemagne on the papal controversy following Pope Leo III's flight to the Frankish court after being assaulted in Rome by a faction of the Roman nobility, and the implications for the relationship between Frankish royal power and papal authority. To the most devout King Charles, from his faithful servant Alcuin, The news of Pope Leo's arrival at your court and the circumstances that compelled it raises questions of the greatest importance, and I want to share my thoughts before you are pressed to act. The immediate facts are clear enough: Leo has been attacked by members of the Roman nobility, apparently in connection with accusations against his personal conduct. He has come to you seeking protection and, in some sense, judgment. This places you in a position of enormous delicacy: you are being asked to adjudicate a case involving the pope, who in the traditional understanding of things is not subject to human judgment — or at least not to the judgment of the king of the Franks. My counsel is to proceed slowly and carefully. The accusations against Leo need to be examined, but they need to be examined in a way that maintains the dignity of the papal office even if Leo personally is found to have acted improperly. The long-term interests of the church require a papacy that is functional and respected, and any outcome that leaves that institution permanently weakened will be bad for everyone, including the king. I believe you will navigate this wisely. But I wanted to offer what reflection I have before the urgency of events makes reflection difficult. Your faithful servant, Alcuin