True Invention: That is, of the inventions which have been invented by the German nation

in reality itself, and is accepted by everyone as known; however, since all kinds of doubtful opinions arise, as much because of the person who handed over such a realm or empire—namely the Pope—and those who accepted it, being of French blood and not German blood, as those who agreed for this reason, such as the Constantinopolitan Empress Irene, we want to prove completely and sufficiently in this chapter that such Roman Empire and Monarchy was first brought forth by the highly laudable German nation and was permanently applied to the same. Beside this, however, we will also clear away all doubtful scatterings. And indeed, some are found who exalt the power and preeminence superiority of the Roman Pope, not only over all other bishops of Christendom but also over all Christian kings and potentates, in both secular and spiritual matters, and let themselves be tempted, solely out of blind inclination toward the Roman Church and great envy against the opposite side and those of contrary religion, to conclude that the entire Roman Imperial government and Monarchy had stood in the power and hands of the Roman Pope, and was therefore applied to Carolus Magnus Charlemagne out of great generosity, by