Einhard (ca. 770-840) was an important and esteemed court official of Charlemagne and his son Louis the Pious. The Vita Karoli Magni was written in Latin during the latter's reign. In the preface of Einhard’s work, he clearly presented his purpose: that his written accounts will keep alive the memory "of the most eminent, the greatest king of that period and of his distinguished acts"; a supreme ruler whom he describes as a model of numerous virtues that he repeatedly mentions throughout his work: military skill, wise political and diplomatic intuition, deep faith, admirable Christian devotion, love for culture, generosity and magnanimity coupled with unsurpassed broad-mindedness. The author does not hide his gratitude for Charlemagne and the affection he avowed to the king of the Franks – his protector–, with whom, he proudly confesses, he established ties of friendship. At the same time, he highlighted his position as an eyewitness to the facts that he narrates, as a proof of veracity; aware of the historical significance of the events that he witnessed. His work is full of interesting anecdotes and observations that produced a completed and genuine portrait of Charlemagne. Throughout the text, Einhard never uses the imperial title to refer to the protagonist but uses king instead. What was his motive? During the coronation of the Holy Roman Emperor in the year 800, a certain attitude of Pope Leo III displeased the king of the Franks.