WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Despite a reconciliation in January 1077 at Canossa, where Henry appeared as a penitent sinner seeking the pope’s forgiveness, tensions continued, and Henry was deposed and excommunicated again in 1080. Gregory VII eventually banned completely the investiture of ecclesiastics by all laymen, including kings.

Detailed explanation-2: -Going to Canossa However, for Henry not everything turned out so well afterwards. Even though he was restored in Church, he did not receive the right to the throne and he was forced into civil war with Duke Rudolph of Swabia resulting in a further excommunication against Henry.

Detailed explanation-3: -He devises a plan. Dressed in a penitential robe, Henry makes a pilgrimage through the Alps, sometimes crawling on hand and foot, before finally reaching Canossa Castle. Henry knows that if he succeeds in meeting the pope in person, the custom dictates that Gregory must forgive his arch enemy.

Detailed explanation-4: -When Gregory VII, acclaimed Pope by the people of Rome in 1073, attempted to enact reforms to the investiture process by his Dictatus papae decree, he was met by resistance from Henry IV.

Detailed explanation-5: -It affirmed the right of the church to invest bishops with sacred authority, symbolized by a ring and staff. In Germany (but not Italy and Burgundy), the Emperor also retained the right to preside over elections of abbots and bishops by church authorities, and to arbitrate disputes.

Detailed explanation-6: -On December 8, 1075, Pope Gregory VII (ruled 1073–85), also known as Hildebrand, sent orders to Emperor Henry IV (ruled 1056–1106) that he should stop appointing bishops. Henry responded with a blistering letter, and Gregory in turn issued an order telling Henry’s subjects that they were no longer required to obey him.