The Children of Adam and Eve

Henry succeeded his father at the age of six, but during most of his
minority, his mother ruled in his name. After Henry came of age in 1065 he
crushed a rebellion in Saxony. About that time there began the struggle
between Pope and emperor for temporal power in the empire. Despite a papal
decree prohibiting appointment of Church officials by the emperor, Henry
appointed (1075) prelates in various parts of Italy. On being reprimanded
by Pope Gregory VII, Henry convoked (1076) a German council at Worms to
depose the Pope. This act resulted in the excommunication of the emperor,
with the consequent release of his subjects from allegiance to him. The
nobles formed a coalition, threatening not to recognize Henry unless he
secured absolution by February 1077. By dressing as a penitent and
standing bareFoot in the Snow for three days outside the castle of
Canossa, where Pope Gregory was staying, Henry obtained Readmission to the
communion of the Church.

The German nobles, However, elected Rudolf, duke of Swabia (fl. 1057-80),
to replace Henry. This election caused a civil war. In 1080 the Pope
recognized the kingship of Rudolf and again excommunicated Henry, who
declared Pope Gregory deposed and had the Italian Archbishop Guibert of
Ravenna (c. 1025-1100) elected in his stead as Pope Clement III. Rudolf
was killed in 1080, and Henry regained control of Germany. He then led his
forces into Italy and captured (1084) Rome, where he was crowned emperor
by Clement III. A Norman army, led by Robert Guiscard, came to the aid of
Pope Gregory, However, and drove Henry from Rome. Henry returned to
Germany and there participated in a Long series of civil wars, in which
his sons eventually turned against him. In 1105 he was taken prisoner by
his son Henry, later Emperor Henry V, and forced to abdicate. Escaping in
the next year, Henry IV solicited aid from various sources, including
England, Denmark, and France. He died while gathering an army.