Investiture Controversy - Although German kings frequently
appointed high-ranking clergy to important civic positions, Pope
Gregory issued a decree, in 1075, which banned the practice.
King Henry IV, 1056 - 1106 , who was no stranger to the
practice, fiercely opposed the decree since his Investiture of the
bishop of Milan, the second most important position in the clergy
was essential to his authority in northern Italy. Gregory
threatened the king with excommunication, and the king called a
meeting of German bishops to depose the pope. Henry was finally
excommunicated giving the fickle nobility opportunity to call his
rule into question. Henry finally succumbed and plead for
absolution. Gregory granted it, and the issue was later resolved
by the Concordat of Worms in 1122. definition
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