The investiture controversy, the most significant conflict…
1072 CE to 1083 CE
The investiture controversy, the most significant conflict between Church and state in medieval Europe, begins as a power struggle between Pope Gregory VII and Henry IV.
An early result is the trek of Henry from Speyer to the fortress at Canossa in Emilia Romagna to obtain the revocation of the excommunication imposed on him by the Pope.
The Emperor is in January 1077 forced to humiliate himself on his knees waiting for three days and three nights, before the entrance gate of the castle, while a blizzard rages.
