26 CAROLINGIAN PORTRAITS

Charles the Great; in 826 Louis rejoiced in receiving this Harald

at Mainz from the font of baptism as his godson. The ceremony
was celebrated with splendid ritual, and the convert carried away
with him gifts and promises in plenty.
In regard to Rome Louis, as we have seen, looked to it for
guidance, held himself responsible for its protection, and believed
that it was his to serve. In 815, indeed, he commanded Bernard,
king of Italy, to hold inquiry into charges made against Pope
Leo III that he had put conspirators to death; but the Pope sent
envoys to the Frankish Court for the maintaining of his cause,
and the matter was promptly dismissed. In 816 the next Pope,
Stephen IV, journeyed to Reims to crown the Emperor with his
own hands. Louis sent Theodulf, bishop of Orleans, and Hildebald, archchaplain of the Palace at Aachen, to meet him on his
way, and welcomed him at Reims with all courtesy and reverence.
This Papal action confirmed the bond between the Church
Catholic and the Frankish Empire under Louis the Pious.
The year 817 was marked by several events of importance.
In July, at a Council assembled in Aachen, rules and regulations
for the fostering and upholding of Benedictine discipline in
Frankish monasteries were declared and put into action under
the leadership of Benedict of Aniane. At Aachen Louis made
known also his will for the future ruling of his Empire. "By no
means," he now informed his people, "has it seemed good to us,
and to our advisers in their discretion, that the unity of the Empire
entrusted to us by God should be broken by human dividing,
through love or partiality on our part towards our sons. For thus
would scandal arise in Holy Church, and we should incur the
wrath of Him in Whose power stand the laws and rights of all
kingdoms." For three days prior to these events fasting, prayer,
and almsgiving had been ordered for general observance throughout the realm.
Finally, the decisions which should govern its rule both before and after the death of Louis, the Emperor, were made known,
in a document regarded, not as a "Division," but as an "Ordinance
of Empire." Lothar, eldest son of Louis, was to receive at once
solemn coronation as Emperor in union with his father, who,
however, was to be supreme in rule throughout the Empire as