I
The earliest Roman forms used at the coronation of an Emperor are found in the Gemunden Codex, and constitute Martène’s Ordo III[45]. This rite is very early, being of the ninth century, and it is possible that with some such forms as these Charlemagne himself was crowned.
The rite begins with a short prayer for the Emperor: Exaudi Domine preces nostras et famulum tuum illum, etc., and then follows at once the prayer Prospice Omnipotens Deus serenis obtutibus hunc gloriosum famulum tuum illum, etc., at the end of which the Emperor is crowned with a golden crown with the words, Per eum cui est honor et gloria per infinita saecula saeculorum. Amen. Next follows the Traditio Gladii, with the form Accipe gladium per manus episcoporum licet indignas, vice tamen et auctoritate sanctorum Apostolorum consecratas tibi regaliter impositum, nostraeque benedictionis officio in defensione sanctae ecclesiae divinitus ordinatum; et esto memor de quo Psalmista prophetavit dicens: Accingere gladio super femur tuum potentissime, ut in hoc per eundem vim aequitatis exerceas.
The Laudes[46] are then chanted.
Cantors. Exaudi Christe.
R. Domino nostro illi a Deo decreto summo Pontifici et universali Papae vitam.
C. Exaudi Christe.
R. Exaudi Christe.
C. Salvator mundi.
R. Tu illum adiuva.
C. Exaudi Christe.
R. Domino nostro illi Augusto, a Deo coronato magno et pacifico imperatori vitam.
C. Sancta Maria (thrice).
R. Tu illum adiuva.
C. Exaudi Christe.
R. Tuisque praecellentissimis filiis regibus vitam.
C. Sancte Petre (thrice).
R. Tu illos adiuva.
C. Exaudi Christe.
R. Exercitui Francorum, Romanorum, et Teutonicorum vitam et victoriam.
C. Sancte Theodore (thrice).
R. Tu illos adiuva.
C. Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat. (Twice, and R. the same.)
C. Rex regum, Christus vincit, Christus regnat. (R. the same.)
Here follow a series of acclamations.
Rex noster Christus vincit, Christus regnat. Spes nostra Christus vincit. Gloria nostra Christus vincit. Misericordia nostra Christus vincit. Auxilium nostrum Christus vincit. Fortitudo nostra Christus vincit. Victoria nostra Christus vincit. Liberatio et redemptio nostra Christus vincit. Victoria nostra Christus vincit. Arma nostra Christus vincit. Murus noster inexpugnabilis Christus vincit. Defensio nostra et exaltatio Christus vincit. Lux, via, et vita nostra Christus vincit. Ipsi soli imperium, gloria, et potestas per immortalia saecula, Amen. Ipsi soli virtus, fortitudo, et victoria per omnia saecula saeculorum, Amen. Ipsi soli honor, laus, et iubilatio per infinita saecula saeculorum, Amen.
In conjunction with this rite Martène gives another very close to it but differing in some respects. The form at the crowning is different, Accipe coronam a Domino Deo tibi praedestinatam. Habeas, teneas, possideas, ac filiis tuis post te in futurum ad honorem, Deo auxiliante, derelinquas. Then follows at once the prayer Deus Pater aeternae gloriae. The Collect is given of the Mass, Deus regnorum. It is to be noted that the earliest Milanese rite[47] of the coronation of a king, of the ninth century, is almost identical with this rite of the Gemunden Codex.