Written by: Dr. Johnathan Baker

Henry V, born around 1081 or 1086, was the fourth and last ruler of the Salian dynasty, succeeding his father Henry IV as King of Germany and Holy Roman Emperor. He is most notably known for his tumultuous relationship with the reform papacy, the Investiture Controversy, and his failed attempts to withdraw regalia from bishops.

At the heart of Henry V's reign was the Investiture Controversy, a struggle between the Holy Roman Empire and the reform papacy over the power to appoint bishops. In 1105, Henry V forced his father to abdicate, taking the throne for himself. For five years, he ruled in compliance with the imperial princes, attempting to withdraw regalia from bishops, but ultimately failing. This led to his capture of Pope Paschal II and forced imperial coronation in 1111.

Following his imperial coronation, Henry V departed from joint rule with the princes, resorting to earlier Salian autocratic rule. However, he soon realized that he could not increase control over the church. The princes in Saxony and on the Middle and Lower Rhine forced Henry V to consent with the papacy in 1121, leading to the Concordat of Worms in 1122, which ended the Investiture Controversy.

The Concordat of Worms, signed in 1122, marked a significant turning point in Henry V's reign, as he surrendered to the demands of the second generation of Gregorian reformers. This agreement established a compromise between the Holy Roman Empire and the reform papacy, limiting the emperor's power to appoint bishops. Henry V's legacy is often marked by controversy, but his role in shaping the relationship between the empire and the church cannot be overstated.

Little is known about Henry V's personal life, but it is recorded that he spent his early years in Regensburg, where his mentor, Conrad Bishop of Utrecht, played a significant role in his upbringing. Henry V was likely born on August 11, 1081 or 1086, and his accolade, Schwertleite, took place at Easter in 1101, when he was around 15 years old.

Henry V's reign had a profound impact on the development of the Holy Roman Empire and the relationship between the empire and the church. His legacy can be seen in the Concordat of Worms, which established a precedent for future agreements between the empire and the church. Moreover, his reign marked a significant shift towards a more decentralized system of governance, where the power of the emperor was limited by the rising influence of the imperial princes.

Henry V's contemporaries, such as Pope Paschal II and Pope Callixtus II, played crucial roles in shaping the Investiture Controversy and its resolution. A comparative analysis of Henry V's reign with that of his contemporaries reveals a complex web of alliances, rivalries, and power struggles that defined the medieval period.

1081 or 1086: Henry V born

1101: Accolade, Schwertleite, at Easter

1105: Forced his father, Henry IV, to abdicate

1111: Captured Pope Paschal II and forced imperial coronation

1121: Forced to consent with the papacy

1122: Signed the Concordat of Worms, ending the Investiture Controversy

1125: Henry V died on May 23

Henry V's life was marked by controversy, power struggles, and a complex web of alliances and rivalries. Despite his tumultuous reign, he played a significant role in shaping the relationship between the Holy Roman Empire and the reform papacy, leaving a lasting legacy in the Concordat of Worms.