Pope+Gregory+VII+(2)

//**__Pope Gregory VII__** //

**Introduction:**

Pope Gregory VII held the title of pope from April 22, 1073 until his death on May 25, 1085. As pope, Gregory was widely recognised not only for his devotion to the church but also for his reputation as a reformer. Gregory is perhaps best known for the major role he played in the Investiture Controversy, the dispute between himself and King Henry IV over the lay investiture of church officials. Historian H.E.J. Cowdrey describes Gregory as having been a “man of action who was concerned with the multifarious issues raised by the church and the world in which he lived”. Such a reputation ensured that the memory of Gregory’s contribution as a reformer and dedicated pope lived on even after his death and influenced many others to continue his legacy.  ﻿ **Early Life:**  Pope Gregory VII was born Hildebrand around the year 1020 in Sovana, a small town in the Tuscan marshes. Hildebrand grew up in a Roman ecclesiastical institution and later came to serve numerous popes as a legate, even accompanying Pope Gregory VIinto exile in 1047. Hildebrand returned to Rome in 1049 as a subdeacon in the entourage of Pope Leo IXand was later granted the titles of both archdeacon and papal advisor. The extent of Hildebrand’s growing influence became evident at the funeral of Pope Alexander IIin 1073 when a tumultuous crowd of Romans elected him pope by popular acclamation. This election was later formally repeated by the Roman clergy and Hildebrand was officially proclaimed Pope Gregory VII.

 **Involvement in the Investiture Controversy:**  In February 1075, Gregory made several official decrees condemning simony, clerical marriages and lay investiture. King Henry IV ignored these decrees and continued to invest bishops without papal consultation. This action sparked a bitter power struggle between Gregory and Henry that later became known as the Investiture Controversy. In December 1075, Gregory sent Henry a letter demanding that the king do penance or face removal for opposing papal decrees. Henry reacted by denouncing Gregory and demanding that he “descend and relinquish the apostolic chair” of pope. Gregory retaliated by excommunicating Henry in February 1076 and forbidding “any one to serve him as king”. When news of Henry’s excommunication became public knowledge, it caused quite an uproar because never before had a pope deposed a king. However, Gregory’s position was so influential that he gained significant levels of both public and clerical support leaving Henry with no choice but to promise that he would give satisfaction to Gregory and undertake penance. Gregory reluctantly released Henry from his excommunication at Canossa in January 1077, under the condition that Henry would agree to the terms of an oath governing his future conduct.  The spirit of peace generated at Canossa did not last long however, because most German nobles were still unhappy with Henry and elected Rudolf of Swabiaas their new king. Gregory strove to remain neutral and effect a compromise between the two opposing parties by investigating the merits of both kings and then upholding the one he believed more righteous. In March 1080, Gregory renewed Henry’s excommunication and bestowed the kingdom upon Rudolf. Gregory’s further condemnation of Henry produced widespread feelings of sympathy towards the king and ultimately resulted in Gregory’s deposition and the appointment of an anti-pope. Gregory openly declared that he would rather die than make terms with Henry and Henry responded through repeated attacks on Rome. These attacks forced Gregory to flee from Rome and he died in Salerno in 1085.  **Legacy:**  In the opinion of some, Pope Gregory VII’s death in exile may have appeared as a failure on his part. However, many of his moves for reform, in particular the unresolved conflicts of the Investiture Controversy, continued to play on the consciences of clergy members and lay persons long after his death. There was also a significant movement for spiritual renewal and numerous forms of devotion were both recovered and re-emphasised due to Gregory’s example. Gregory’s devotion to the church along with his reputation as an influential reformer not only prompted others to continue his work but also cemented his position as a significant figure in medieval history. 

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">**__References__** <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"> **Primary Sources:** <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">King Henry IV. “Letter to Gregory VII, Jan 24 1076,” in //Internet Medieval Sourcebook:// http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/source/henry4-to-g7a.asp (Accessed August 21, 2011). <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Pope Gregory VII. “First Deposition and Banning of Henry IV, Feb 22 1076,” in //Internet Medieval Sourcebook:// http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/source/g7-ban1.asp (Accessed August 21, 2011). <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">﻿ <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">**Secondary Sources:** Blumenthal, Uta-Renate, //The Investiture Controversy: Church and Monarchy from the Ninth to the Twelfth Century// (Philadelphia, 1988). <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Cowdrey, H.E.J., //Pope Gregory VII, 1073-1085// (Oxford, 1998). <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Jordan, William Chester, //Europe in the High Middle Ages// (London, 2002). <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Oestereich, Thomas,“Pope Gregory VII.” in //The Catholic Encyclopedia://http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06791c.htm (Accessed August 20, 2011). <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Stephens, W.R.W., //Hildebrand and His Times// (London, 1908).

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