Hello and welcome to the history of the Germans, Episode 34, gaining the upper hand.

Today we'll find out whether the events of Konossa will turn Henry IV into a faithful

son of the church, a universally acknowledged

ruler of the empire, and ardent supporter of Pope Gregory's brand of church reform.

Me thinks not.

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Last week, we ended with King Henry IV, leaving the castle of Canossa, where the Pope had just

released him from the ban of excommunication after humiliating three days of standing outside

in the snow, doing penance for his alleged sins.

Again, we do not know what he thought or felt on his journey down from the mountain.

It could be elation that he has beckoned the bosom of the church and his kingdom returned

to him, or maybe

pondering the enormous price he had to pay for that. But he did not have much time to ponder.

A mere ten miles down from Canossa he meets his army, led by the Lombard bishops. To put it mildly,

these guys were not happy about the reconciliation between the Pope and their

king.

...