1069 Recall of Adalbert. Restored to power he influences the Saxons against Henry.
1072 Death of Adalbert, and revolt of the Saxons.
1073 The Saxons cause Henry to flee from the Harzburg. Humiliating peace.
1075 Henry defeats the Saxons on the Unstrut. He dictates his own terms of peace. Henry appeals to Pope Gregory VII to degrade the prelate, who sided with the rebellious Saxons. Gregory responds by calling on the king to answer certain charges brought against him by his subjects. The pope issues a bull against lay investiture.
1076 Henry calls a council at Worms and declares the pope deposed. Gregory excommunicates the king, who is suspended from his royal office by the Diet of Tribur. Beginning of the war of the investitures—ecclesiastical against the civil power.
1077 Deserted by many adherents, Henry humbles himself before the pope at Canossa. The Germans elect Rudolf of Swabia king.
1080 After a victory of Rudolf, Gregory recognises him as king. Henry calls a council of the clergy faithful to him. It declares Gregory deposed and elects Clement III. Rudolf slain in battle. Defeat of the army raised by Countess Matilda. Second excommunication of Henry. He at once lays siege to Rome.
1084 Henry takes possession. Gregory shuts himself up in the castle of St. Angelo. Coronation of Henry by the anti-pope Clement III. Robert Guiscard releases Gregory, who dies the following year, at Salerno.
1085 Defeat of Henry by Hermann of Luxemburg, who has been elected to succeed Rudolf of Swabia.
1087 Resignation of Hermann. Eckbert of Meissen elected to succeed him.