830-849 Muslim Saracens Attack Rome

This twenty year period covers the reign of the West Saxon King Egbert of England (pictured) who died in 839 and was succeeded by his son Ethelwulf.

The Pope in Rome was Gregory IV, and the Holy Roman Emperor was Louis the Pious, a Frank.

In 834 Pope Gregory IV intrigued with Lothair -- Louis the Pious's eldest son -- to depose the emperor, and when Gregory IV died in 844 and Lothair became Emperor trouble erupted between him and the new Pope Sergius II (844-847) who was not as accommodating.

Pope Sergius II crowned Lothair but refused to swear fealty to him as did his successor Leo IV (847-855).

Sergius II had to face the worst ever attack on Rome by the Saracen Muslims.

Saracen, at this time in history, meant anyone, regardless of race, who was a Muslim.

The Saracens entered the city and despoiled the shrine of St. Peter.

Pope Leo IV was active in fortifying Rome against the invaders and repelling them and in doing so he gained prestige and restored Church power.

At the same time as the Saracen Muslims were attacking Rome, the Norsemen were invading Gaul (Normandy) in 841.