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The Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV (1050-1106) at the entrance
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The Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV (1050-1106) at the entrance
Henry IV (1050-1106). Holy Roman emperor. Henry IV at the entrance of the castle of Canossa (1077) to obtain the revocation of his excommunication of the Pope Gregory VII. Engraving
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Media ID 14349820
© Thaliastock / Mary Evans
1050 1077 11th 12th Burgundy Canossa Cold Fort Fortress Germans Gregory Obtain Pope Revocation 1106 Excommunication Humiliate
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative engraving, Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor (1050-1106) is depicted at the entrance of the castle of Canossa in the winter of 1077. The emperor, dressed in 12th-century Burgundian attire, stands humbly before the fortified gate, surrounded by a group of Germans, seeking the revocation of his excommunication from Pope Gregory VII (1020-1085). The bitter cold of the fortress, with its icy fortifications and snow-covered landscape, underscores the gravity of the situation. Henry IV's excommunication followed his refusal to recognize the Pope's authority over the appointment of bishops. In an unprecedented move, the Pope responded by excommunicating the emperor, effectively barring him from the sacraments and the communion of the Church. To seek absolution, Henry IV embarked on a humiliating journey to Canossa, where he spent three days and three nights in penance, barefoot and in sackcloth, at the castle gates. The engraving captures the moment of Henry IV's submission, as he awaits the arrival of the Pope, who is not depicted in the scene. The emperor's act of contrition marked a significant turning point in the power struggle between the Holy Roman Emperor and the Pope, and ultimately led to the signing of the Concordat of Worms in 1122, which established a more balanced relationship between the two. This powerful image from the 11th or 12th century offers a glimpse into the complex political landscape of the Middle Ages, as well as the personal drama that played out between the emperor and the Pope. The engraving is a testament to the enduring significance of the castle of Canossa in European history, and the role it played in shaping the relationship between the Church and the secular power.
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