a
reference to the Henry
IV (1050- 1106)
king of
Germany and Holy
Roman Emperor (1056-1106). In 1076 after a
power struggle with the Italian
Pope Gregory
VII (1020-1085), and after Henry declared the
pope deposed, Henry was expelled from the
Roman Catholic Church. However, many of
Germany's noblemen supported the
pope and refused to recognize Henry unless he received absolution. He was compelled to
obtain forgiveness and traveled from
Germany, probably across the
Alps to Canossa,
Italy, where the
pope was staying. He is said to have stood outside the
pope's residence for three days in the snow, barefoot and in poor woolen garments until the
pope forgave him.