A History of Germany from the Earliest Times to the Present Day

Name: A History of Germany from the Earliest Times to the Present Day
Author: Taylor, Bayard

Taylor, Bayard

Germany -- History

When Otto the Great, towards the close of his reign, neglected Germany
and occupied himself with establishing his dominion in Italy, he
prepared the way for the rapid decline of the Imperial power at home, in
the hands of his successors. The reigning Dukes, Counts, and even the
petty feudal lords, no longer watched and held subordinate, soon became
practically independent: except in Friesland, Saxony and the Alps, the
people had no voice in political matters; and thus the growth of a
general national sentiment, such as had been fostered by Charlemagne and
Henry I., was again destroyed. In proportion as the smaller States were
governed as if they were separate lands, their populations became
separated in feeling and interest. Henry II. tried to be an Emperor of
_Germany_: he visited Italy rather on account of what he believed to be
the duties of his office than from natural inclination to reign there;
but he was not able to restore the same authority at home, as Otto the
Great had exercised.

[Sidenote: 1024. END OF HENRY II.'S REIGN.]

Henry II. was a pious man, and favored the Roman Church in all
practicable ways. He made numerous and rich grants of land to churches
and monasteries, but always with the reservation of his own rights, as
sovereign. After his death he was made a Saint, by order of the Pope,
but he failed to live, either as Saint or Emperor, in the traditions of
the people.




CHAPTER XV.

THE FRANK EMPERORS, TO THE DEATH OF HENRY IV.

(1024--1106.)

Konrad II. elected Emperor. --Movements against him. --Journey to
    Italy. --Revolt of Ernest of Suabia. --Burgundy attached to the
    Empire. --Siege of Milan. --Konrad's Death. --Henry III. succeeds.
    --Temporary Peace. --Corruptions in the Church. --The "Truce of
    God." --Henry III.'s Coronation in Rome. --Rival Popes. --New
    Troubles in Germany. --Second Visit to Italy. --Return and Death.
    --Henry IV.'s Childhood. --His Capture. --Archbishops Hanno and
    Adalbert. --Henry IV. begins to reign. --Revolt and Slaughter of
    the Saxons. --Pope Gregory VII. --His Character and Policy. --Henry
    IV. excommunicated. --Movement against him. --He goes to Italy.
    --His Humiliation at Canossa. --War with Rudolf of Suabia. --Henry
    IV. besieges Rome. --Death of Gregory VII. --Rebellions of Henry
    IV.'s Sons. --His Capture, Abdication and Death. --The First
    Crusade.


[Sidenote: 1024.]

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

A History of Germany from the Earliest Times to the Present DayTaylor, Bayard

History

A History of Germany from the Earliest Times to the Present Day

Taylor, Bayard

Germany -- History

When Otto the Great, towards the close of his reign, neglected Germany
and occupied himself with establishing his dominion in Italy, he
prepared the way for the rapid decline of the Imperial power at home, in
the hands of his successors. The reigning Dukes, Counts, and even the
petty feudal lords, no longer watched and held subordinate, soon became
practically independent: except in Friesland, Saxony and the Alps, the
people had no voice in political matters; and thus the growth of a
general national sentiment, such as had been fostered by Charlemagne and
Henry I., was again destroyed. In proportion as the smaller States were
governed as if they were separate lands, their populations became
separated in feeling and interest. Henry II. tried to be an Emperor of
_Germany_: he visited Italy rather on account of what he believed to be
the duties of his office than from natural inclination to reign there;
but he was not able to restore the same authority at home, as Otto the
Great had exercised.

[Sidenote: 1024. END OF HENRY II.'S REIGN.]

Henry II. was a pious man, and favored the Roman Church in all
practicable ways. He made numerous and rich grants of land to churches
and monasteries, but always with the reservation of his own rights, as
sovereign. After his death he was made a Saint, by order of the Pope,
but he failed to live, either as Saint or Emperor, in the traditions of
the people.




CHAPTER XV.

THE FRANK EMPERORS, TO THE DEATH OF HENRY IV.

(1024--1106.)

Konrad II. elected Emperor. --Movements against him. --Journey to
    Italy. --Revolt of Ernest of Suabia. --Burgundy attached to the
    Empire. --Siege of Milan. --Konrad's Death. --Henry III. succeeds.
    --Temporary Peace. --Corruptions in the Church. --The "Truce of
    God." --Henry III.'s Coronation in Rome. --Rival Popes. --New
    Troubles in Germany. --Second Visit to Italy. --Return and Death.
    --Henry IV.'s Childhood. --His Capture. --Archbishops Hanno and
    Adalbert. --Henry IV. begins to reign. --Revolt and Slaughter of
    the Saxons. --Pope Gregory VII. --His Character and Policy. --Henry
    IV. excommunicated. --Movement against him. --He goes to Italy.
    --His Humiliation at Canossa. --War with Rudolf of Suabia. --Henry
    IV. besieges Rome. --Death of Gregory VII. --Rebellions of Henry
    IV.'s Sons. --His Capture, Abdication and Death. --The First
    Crusade.


[Sidenote: 1024.]

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

A History of Germany from the Earliest Times to the Present Day

A History of Germany from the Earliest Times to the Present Day

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