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Adrian II begins his reign as Catholic Pope

Pope Nicholas I (Latin: Nicolaus I; c. 800 – 13 November 867), called Nicholas the Great, was the bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States from 24 April 858 until his death on 13 November 867.

Pope Nicholas I (Latin: Nicolaus I; c. 800 – 13 November 867), called Nicholas the Great, was the bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States from 24 April 858 until his death on 13 November 867. He is the last of the three popes listed in the Annuario Pontificio with the title "the Great", alongside Leo I and Gregory I.

Nicholas is remembered as a consolidator of papal authority, exerting decisive influence on the historical development of the papacy and its position among the Christian nations of Western Europe. Nicholas I asserted that the pope should have suzerainty over all Christians, even royalty, in matters of faith and morals.

Nicholas refused King Lothair II of Lotharingia's request for an annulment of his marriage to Teutberga.

Historical Significance

Pope Nicholas I (Latin: Nicolaus I; c.

Events Before

  1. Rus Vikings attack Constantinople

    The siege of Constantinople in 860 was the only major military expedition of the Rus' recorded in Byzantine and western European sources.

  2. Peace of Koblenz: Charles the Bald, Louis the German, and Lotharius II

    Peace of Koblenz: Charles the Bald, Louis the German, and Lotharius II

  3. Boudouin Iron Arm & Count of Flanders, elopes with Princess Judith, daughter King Charles of West Francia

    Boudouin Iron Arm & Count of Flanders, elopes with Princess Judith, daughter King Charles of West Francia

  4. The Edict of Pistres of Charles the Bald orders defensive measures against the Vikings

    The Edict of Pistres of Charles the Bald orders defensive measures against the Vikings

  5. Pope Nicholas I answers the envoys of Boris (Ad consulta vestra)

    Pope Nicholas I answers the envoys of Boris (Ad consulta vestra)

Events After

  1. "The Diamond Sutra", the world's oldest surviving and dated printed book is printed in Chinese and made into a scroll

    "The Diamond Sutra", the world's oldest surviving and dated printed book is printed in Chinese and made into a scroll

  2. 4th Council of Constantinople (8th Ecumenical Council) opens

    An ecumenical council, also called general council, is a meeting of bishops and other church authorities to consider and rule on questions of Christian doctrine, administration, discipline, and other...

  3. Charles the Bald is crowned king of Lotharingia

    Lotharingia was a historical region and an early medieval polity that existed during the late Carolingian and early Ottonian, from the middle of the 9th to the middle of the 10th century.

  4. 8th Ecumenical council ends in Constantinople

    An ecumenical council, also called general council, is a meeting of bishops and other church authorities to consider and rule on questions of Christian doctrine, administration, discipline, and other...

  5. Skirmish at Englefield: Ethelred of Wessex beats a section of the Viking Great Heathen Army, camped at Reading

    Skirmish at Englefield: Ethelred of Wessex beats a section of the Viking Great Heathen Army, camped at Reading

More from the 860s

Boudouin Iron Arm & Count of Flanders, elopes with Princess Judith, daughter King Charles of West Francia

Boudouin Iron Arm & Count of Flanders, elopes with Princess Judith, daughter King Charles of West Francia

"The Diamond Sutra", the world's oldest surviving and dated printed book is printed in Chinese and made into a scroll

"The Diamond Sutra", the world's oldest surviving and dated printed book is printed in Chinese and made into a scroll

Rus Vikings attack Constantinople

The siege of Constantinople in 860 was the only major military expedition of the Rus' recorded in Byzantine and western European sources.

The Edict of Pistres of Charles the Bald orders defensive measures against the Vikings

The Edict of Pistres of Charles the Bald orders defensive measures against the Vikings

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on December 14, 867?
Pope Nicholas I (Latin: Nicolaus I; c. 800 – 13 November 867), called Nicholas the Great, was the bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States from 24 April 858 until his death on 13 November 867. He is the last of the three popes listed in the Annuario Pontificio with the title "the Great", alongside Leo I and Gregory I.
Why is Adrian II begins his reign as Catholic Pope significant?
Pope Nicholas I (Latin: Nicolaus I; c.

Explore More

December 14 in HistoryYear 867