Henry IV (1050-1106) became king of Germany in 1056 and Holy Roman emperor in 1084. Henry was only 6 years old when he succeeded his father, Henry III, as Germany’s king. The boy’s mother ruled for him until he was old enough to take the throne. The nobles revolted during her rule. When Henry took control of the kingdom in 1065, he tried to establish his authority throughout Germany. But he came into conflict with Pope Gregory VII. In 1075, Gregory forbade lay investiture—that is, he denied civil rulers the authority to make appointments to church offices. In response, Henry called a council that met at Worms in 1076 and declared the pope deposed. Gregory in turn expelled Henry from the church and released his subjects from allegiance to him.
Many German princes supported the pope, and so Henry had to yield. Pope Gregory had retired to a stronghold at Canossa in the Apennines. It is said that Henry had to stand barefoot in the snow for three days before he was permitted to kneel at the pope’s feet and be pardoned. But after his return to Germany, Henry renewed the struggle. For years, his country was torn by civil war. In 1080, Gregory again excommunicated Henry and deposed him. Henry later captured Rome, and in 1084 he replaced Gregory with a pope of his own choice. That year, Henry was crowned Holy Roman emperor. Gregory died in exile soon after he was replaced as pope, but his successors took up the contest. One of them again expelled Henry from the church. Finally, in 1105, Henry was forced to abdicate after one of his sons rebelled against him. Henry died on Aug. 7, 1106, while preparing for war.
Henry IV was born on Nov. 11, 1050, in Goslar, Germany. His son Henry V succeeded him.
See also Gregory VII, Saint .
