Page:General History of Europe 1921.djvu/304

 22O General History of Europe II. THE LONG STRUGGLE BETWEEN POPES AND EMPERORS 352. Struggle over Investiture between Henry IV and Greg- ory VII. The popes who immediately preceded Gregory had more than once forbidden the churchmen to receive investiture from laymen. Gregory reissued this prohibition in 1075. In for- bidding investiture by laymen Gregory attempted nothing less than a revolution. The bishops and abbots were often officers of government, exercising in Germany and Italy powers similar in all respects to those of the counts. The German king not only relied upon them for advice and assistance in carrying on his gov- ernment but they were among his chief allies in his constant struggles with his vassals. This act of Gregory's led to a long and bitter struggle between the popes and German rulers, lasting for two hundred years. Gregory's legates so irritated the young German king Henry IV that he had the Pope deposed as a wicked man (1076). 353. Gregory VII Deposes Henry IV. Gregory's reply to Henry and the German bishops who had deposed him was speedy and decisive. "Incline thine ear to us, O Peter, chief of the Apostles. As thy representative and by thy favor has the power been granted especially to me by God of binding and loosing in heaven and earth [compare 309]. ... I withdraw, through thy power and authority, from Henry the King, who has risen against thy Church with unheard-of insolence, the rule over the whole kingdom of the Germans and over Italy. I absolve all Christians from the bonds of the oath which they have sworn, or may swear, to him ; and I forbid anyone to serve him as king." 354. Henry IV at Canossa (1077). After the Pope deposed Henry his vassals turned against him. He was so discouraged that he hastened across the Alps in midwinter and appeared as a humble suppliant before the castle of Canossa, where Gregory VII was sojourning. The Pope kept him waiting three days barefoot and in the coarse garments of a pilgrim before he would admit him. He then agreed to forgive him for the moment. The spec- tacle of a mighty prince of distinguished appearance in tears