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LIV. Henry V
- West Virginia University Press
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375 LIV Henry V With Henry IV opposed by much of the German nobility but generally supported by bishops whom he had appointed, his rebellious son, Henry V, found many allies among the German nobles and opponents among the bishops. At a council held in Worms, the conflict came to an end when Henry V agreed not to appoint bishops as such to their church or “spiritual” offices, as long as church officials did not object to the German ruler giving them their “regalian rights” (secular jurisdiction over their dioceses) as fiefs from him. the bishops then sent messages from land to land. They hated what they were faced with and did not want to submit to the young king ever. In fact, the papal ban flew over everywhere in Christendom. At the same time the secular princes were grieved by the thought of deserting young Henry, the man they had already praised and agreed to have as their ruler and judge. The Empire began to divide along the lines of priests and laymen. The laymen were eager to support young Henry. A council was convoked in Regensburg. Dukes and counts with many a proven hero attended, but no bishops came. Count Sigihart was slain in the city. The princes generally advised the king that he should ride to Rome and have his crown confirmed. An archbishop named Albrecht helped the king in everything, even if it was crooked or evil. The pope and the lords spiritual began to criticize him for this. The archbishop set off a serious conflict [in Rome]. He advised the king—an evil deed held against him—to station men in the cathedral, capture the pope and take him away with them as their prisoner. 376 Chapter Fifty-four [They did this, but] then the Romans wanted to free their overlord. They were quick to arm themselves with white hauberks and rush across the Tiber River. In the conflict there were more then seven thousand confirmed casualties among them, wounded or dead. They led the pope away from there with them. The king himself wanted only to get away from there, but the Romans would not let him. The city gates were narrow so the Romans knocked down some walls. The Germans did not want to be caught by the mob, and they cleared a broad path in front of them so that they could ride through, just as they wanted to do. Only their heroes’ strength enabled them to do this. The king and his men then rode through the countryside, robbing and burning and seizing castles. He caught the men he was looking for and punished them most severely. Even the pope suffered grave indignities from him. Wise counselors advised him that the dispute could be settled with the king giving up all the bishoprics. [He did this and] the pope invited him back into the city of Rome, where the Romans gave him and all those traveling with him a grand reception. The pope removed his ban of excommunication and consecrated him as the new emperor; he then rejoiced and departed. Decrees flew about the countryside, as the king ordered punishments for robbing and burning. The ruler of Mainz received bitter criticism. He was accused of setting off such unrest in the Empire as to do permanent damage to Christendom. The princes who had opposed the emperor now had to yield to him and sought his grace. Good and just men among them blamed Bishop Albrecht as responsible. The lords spiritual were very sorry that the son had ever risen against his father. It is known that he had the Empire for exactly seventeen years and six months more. At Speyer they buried their lord. ...