January 28, 1077 - The Walk to Canossa

On January 28, 1077, King Henry IV crossed the Alps in harsh conditions to seek absolution from Pope Gregory VII and Canossa Castle. Though he had been excommunicated and was politically vulnerable, Henry stood firm outside the fortress for three days. Pope Gregory VII ultimately lifted the ban, but this only exacerbated the conflict. Henry’s trek was deemed the “Walk to Canossa” and became a lasting symbol of medieval penance and the relationship of royal power and papal authority.

“Canossa Castle ruins, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.” Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.