his201 - week 8 - lect 2

in 1075 henry appoints bishops in italy, near Rome, that Gregory doesn't even know.

Henry and his bishops around him renounce Gregory (aka Hildebrand) and he is deposed. This is one of the first times a Pope has been deposed via a letter. reform movements, plans and encouragements to not go to the sacraments by married clergy. And Henry in his letter, "king by the grace of god" is theocracy which is opposite of the reformers ideas. Gregory then excommunicated Henry and deposed him and absolved all subjects of their allegiance to Henry. He also predicts Henry's imminent death which didn't happen as Gregory said he would. Gregory and Henry both thought they had the upper hand. Henry misjudged himself, and under estimated the Pope and the power of the pope. Henry is at a loss, he has no support, he desperately needs to gain papal support again. So the Pope decides to meet him again.

Henry returns to Germany and claims he has been given back his power, which is not true.

In 1085 Henry took Rome and declared himself emperor and looked up Gregory. The Normans came and saved Gregory and sacked Rome, making Gregory even more hated by the Romans and he died in a Norman town.