An interesting study for us history types is how the Roman Catholic Church grew in power – in particular the papacy. One strong figure was consecrated on April 24, 858 as Pope Nicholas I. Henry VIII wasn’t the first king who wanted an annulment from his marriage. King Lothair, of what we today would know as Alsace-Lorraine between France and Germany, wanted to marry his mistress and Pope Nicholas said no and even dissolved a church council that granted the divorce. Nicholas began the efforts to show the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) had final say-so in all church matters. And no, he wasn’t Santa Claus.
