Henry IV
1050 – 1106 German king, emperor
Emperor whose clash with the pope drove the Investiture Controversy.
- Religion
- Catholic
- Affiliations
- Salian dynasty
Henry IV fought Pope Gregory VII over who could appoint bishops, the core of the Investiture Controversy. After being excommunicated, he famously did penance before the pope at Canossa in 1077, then later resumed the struggle. His reign saw civil war in Germany and lasting conflict between emperor and papacy.
In the timeline
- 1076 – 1122 The Investiture Controversy begins mentioned
- 1076 Gregory VII excommunicates Henry IV central figure
- 1077 Road to Canossa mentioned
- 1077 Henry IV at Canossa central figure
- 1598 Edict of Nantes mentioned
- 1600 Marie de' Medici becomes Queen of France mentioned