WHI-Chap20-Investiture Controversy

The controversy that centers around who appoints the bishops, priests who also act as advisors to the emperor. Pope Gregory VII ends lay investiture, the practice of kings picking religious officials, and simony, kings selling jobs to bishops, is outlawed in 1075. Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV challenges him and names a new bishop, causing Gregory VII to excommunicate him, lending power to the German princes, releasing the emperors subjects from their duty to obey him, and drastically decreasing the emperor's authority. In 1077 at Canossa, the Pope's relaxation home, Henry IV begs for forgiveness and waits three days for an audience with the pope. Henry IV was eventually taken back into the church and given back authority, although the regional princes had more power than before. The controversy ultimately caused a decline in the power of the Holy Roman Empire because the emperor lost authority.

Created by: Haley Cambra WHI Second Semester Home