The Donation of Constantine

  • Medieval Era
  • Less than 1 min

By Crusader1307

Debated for many centuries as a “Papal Forgery”, this document started many wars (for and against Rome and The Churches control of Italy). Purported to have been “granted” by Emperor Constantine in the 3rd Century A.D. To Pope Sylvester I – the Grant gave complete control of all of Italy (other than it's Monarchs) to The Church. When first “unveiled” in 755 A.D. The French Forces of Pepin used it to attack and invasion of Italy by The Lombards. The Donation of Constantine was used MANY times by The Church to “settle issues”. In 1440, it was determined to be “false”and was not invoked again by The Church.