The Emperor Henry IV, 1056-1106
Peter Munz describes how the reign of Henry IV was marked by the famous struggle with the Papacy, wars with his German nobles and family tension with his sons.
The harmonious balance of power: between Emperor and Pope, between temporal and priestly authority, that had made it possible for Peter Damian to express himself in symbols and had obviated the need for a critical distinction between the different natures of power involved, had been based upon the forbearance and tact of both Henry III and Leo IX. But when Henry died in 1056, he was succeeded by his son Henry IV, whose character was more turbulent and temperamental. If he was steadfast in his determination to be King and Emperor, he was also given to emotional outbursts, to fits of depression and anger. And last, not least, Henry IV was personally a much less pious soul, much less puritanical and much more worldly than his father.
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