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King Henry IV, (1936). Creator: Unknown
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King Henry IV, (1936). Creator: Unknown
King Henry IV, (1936). Kaiser Heinrich IV. Henry IV of Germany outside the gates of Canossa, Italy, in 1077. " Barefoot, clad in a hair shirt, Henry appeared before the gates, begging for admission". Henry IV (1050-1106) was King of Germany from 1056 and Holy Roman Emperor from 1084. In 1077, he performed penance outside the gates of Canossa Castle in order to persuade Pope Gregory VII to reverse his excommunication. The incident occurred during the Investiture Controversy, a conflict between church and state that broke out in 1075 and led to Germany being embroiled in civil war for almost half a century. From " Bilder Deutscher Geschichte", (Pictures of German History), No.12, cigarette card album. [Cigaretten-Bilderdienst, Altona-Bahrenfeld, Hamburg, Germany, 1936]
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Media ID 19124758
© The Print Collector/Heritage Images
11th Century Altona Bahrenfeld Bilder Deutscher Geschichte Canossa Cigaretten Bi Cigaretten Bilderdienst Cloak Eduard Eleventh Century Emilia Romagna Guard Hadank Hadank O H W Hadank Ohw Hadank Oskar Hermann Werner Helmet Henry Iv His Majesty Holy Roman Emperor O H W O H W Hadank Ohw Hadank Oskar Hermann Werner Oskar Hermann Werner Hadank Penance Salian Dynasty Shirt Walls Barefoot Emperor Henry Iv Fortifications Hair Shirt Heinrich Iv Henry Iv Holy Roman Emperor Investiture Controversy
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a defining moment in the life of King Henry IV, also known as Kaiser Heinrich IV. In 1077, outside the imposing gates of Canossa Castle in Italy, the king made a remarkable display of humility and penance. Clad in a hair shirt and barefoot, he beseeched for admission, seeking to reverse his excommunication by Pope Gregory VII. King Henry IV's act of contrition was part of the larger Investiture Controversy that engulfed Germany during this period. The conflict between church and state had plunged the nation into civil war for nearly fifty years. This image serves as a poignant reminder of the power struggle between religious authority and political control. The photograph itself is an intriguing piece from "Bilder Deutscher Geschichte" a cigarette card album published in 1936 by Cigaretten-Bilderdienst. Its vivid colors bring to life both the historical figure and his surroundings. The castle's fortifications tower above him while guards stand watchfully nearby. Through this image, we glimpse into an extraordinary chapter in German history—a time when one man's determination to regain favor with the Church led him to perform acts that would forever be etched in memory. King Henry IV's journey towards redemption stands as a testament to faith, resilience, and ultimately reconciliation between conflicting powers.
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