Gregory VII and Henry IV

Gregory VII and Henry IV

The conflict between Gregory VII and Henry IV occurred over disputes regarding the authority of each leader. Henry IV was appointing church leaders (investiture), and church leaders kidnapped Henry and assumed the role of regent until Henry became of age to take the throne. Henry, as ruler, appointed an archbishop for Milan. In fact, although Henry came of age in 1065, he had to force the church regents to allow him to ascend the throne. Meanwhile, the Pope wanted someone else to be Archbishop of Milan. Both leaders were looking to extend their authority over the other man's turf.

This turf war went on for some years, and in 1076, Pope Gregory declared that Henry IV was deposed, or no longer on the throne. In addition he excommunicated him, kicking him out of the Roman Catholic Church. This struggle then spread to the nobility of Germay, who sided with Pope Gregory and declared that Henry IV could not continue to rule unless he was reinstated into the Church. They planned to convene a meeting to determine Henry IV's future as monarch, and gave the chairmanship to Pope Gregory. Henry IV went to the Pope and gained absolution from the Pope.