Talk:Canossa

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The following is not clear to me:

One of the most dramatic moments in the history of the western church came when Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV knelt in the snow at Canossa in 1077 and begged Pope Gregory VII to lift the ban of excommunication. The pope had prohibited lay control over the placing of clergy in the church (particularly the investiture of bishops) and, by securing the forgiveness of Pope Gregory VII, the emperor was also securing the imperial power that had been jeopardized by his excommunication.

What does "The pope had prohibited lay control over the placing of clergy in the church (particularly the investiture of bishops)" have to do with anything? Was that the reason why Henry had been excommunicated? Because he had defied that prohibition?

Someone knowledgable on this subject please clarify this page. Thanks, -Rwv37 03:04, May 5, 2004 (UTC)

Wow, this has gone a long time without being fixed. I'm researching the topic as I speak (or type, really). I'll fix it up within the coming days. - Che Nuevara: Join the Revolution 13:43, 23 January 2006 (UTC)[reply]


The bulk of the information about the "Walk to Canossa" (German: Canossagang) is being moved to Walk to Canossa. Please do not panic, or put it back here -- it will appear in its proper place shortly. If anyone has any other information on the city itself, please put it here. - Che Nuevara: Join the Revolution 16:57, 23 January 2006 (UTC)[reply]