Henry IV (Holy Roman Emperor)

Henry IV was Holy Roman Emperor from 1056 to 1106, known for his conflict with the papacy and the Investiture Controversy. This struggle centered on whether monarchs could appoint church officials. His reign featured power struggles with nobles and Pope Gregory VII, leading to Henry's excommunication and his dramatic penance in the snow at Canossa in 1077. Ultimately, his efforts to assert imperial authority and control over the church defined his legacy but also highlighted the tension between secular and religious powers in medieval Europe. Henry IV's reign was pivotal in shaping church-state relations.