1055 Gebhard of Eichstadt, Victor II, Hildebrand’s candidate, made pope. He carries on Leo’s work of reform.
1056 Death of Henry III, leaving infant son, furthers plan of Hildebrand.
1057 The Romans reassert their right to create popes on death of Victor. Cardinal Frederick of Lorraine, Stephen IX, made pope.
1058 Stephen dies. Ignoring the empress Agnes, the Roman party makes Giovanni di Velletri, Benedict X, pope, getting the most lavish grants from him. The empress empowers Hildebrand to proceed with new election.
1059 Gerard, archbishop of Florence, Nicholas II, is elected and Benedict declared deposed. Hildebrand determines to deal a blow at the imperial prerogative. Second Lateran Council. The election of pope is vested solely with the cardinal-bishops. Simony and clerical marriage forbidden.
1061 Election of Anselmo Baggio, Alexander II, without consent of emperor, inaugurates the great struggle between pope and emperor. The imperial party calls a council at Bâle and elects Pietro Cadolaus Honorius II. He advances to Rome.
1063 The anti-pope driven by the Normans into the castle of St. Angelo, where he holds his position until
1064 when the fall of Adalbert crushes his last hopes. The schism is healed by Hanno, and Alexander universally acknowledged pope. Resistance to the decrees of celibacy is strong.
1073 Hildebrand, Gregory VII. His election is confirmed by the emperor. His main objects are the enforcement of celibacy among the clergy and the prohibition of investiture by the laity which is the great cause of simony. He demands that Henry IV shall acquiesce in all the newly assumed prerogatives of the papacy.