Western Civilization I / Unit 11 WC1 1010 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Investiture Controversy: Gregory VII, Henry IV, Canossa
Captions available
The idea
Gregory VII forbade lay rulers to invest bishops. Henry IV defied him, was excommunicated, and stood barefoot in the snow at Canossa in ten seventy-seven to be absolved. The Concordat of Worms in eleven twenty-two split the act: Church invests, king receives homage.
In practice
The papacy's first victory over an emperor.
Where people slip
Witness-built: the anchor omits the controversy entirely.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
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