Hello and welcome to the History of the Germans, episode 33, Canossa, finally.

It has taken a while, but today we will finally get to that famous moment, reproduced in thousands

of German schoolbooks and maybe the only event of the Middle Ages

most Germans have heard about. But before we start, just a reminder. The history of the Germans

podcast is advertising free, thanks to the generous support from patrons. And you can become a patron

too and enjoy exclusive bonus episodes and other privileges for the price of a latte per month.

All you have to do is sign up at patreon.com slash history of the Germans or on my website,

history of the Germans.com. You find all the links in the show notes. And thanks a lot to James,

Sean and Stefan, who have already signed up. Last week week we ended with that famous letter of Henry IV to Pope Gregory the 7th that began with an insult,

Hildebrandt at present not Pope but false monk, and ended with a call for him to step down.

That letter arrived in February 1076 when Pope Gregory had convened the bishops from near and

far for his annual Lenton Synod in Rome.

Gregory steps up to the altar and reads the letter of the King of the Romans.

Then he reads another letter, sent by the German bishops, making the same points and including

the same insults, Henry IV same points and including the same insults

when Henry IV had hurled at the Holy Father.

And finally, he reads another letter sent by Henry IV to the people of Rome, asking them

to rise up against the false monk.

Finally, the Imperial Envoy addresses the congregation and demands the deposition of Gregory

the 7th from the Synod. They promised that Henry IV will personally come down to Rome at

Pentecost and bring a new Pope. Well ten out of ten for Cochones but not exactly

Mens are level intelligent, who will be at the Lenten Synod called by Pope Gregory

...