Ecclesiastical reform was incredibly important in the European Church in the late eleventh century and the early twelfth century. Previous to Emperor Henry III's reign there were extremely comfortable relations between the Church and the state which kept many kings, princes, and popes united, but actually upset many reformers. Papal reformers of the mid-eleventh century could primarily be categorized in two separate groups. There were those who wanted to change the papacy mildly by improving the moral standards of churchmen and end simony while remaining working hand-in-hand with the royal imperials. Then, there were those reformers that wanted to radically change the papacy by totally cutting off relations with the imperials then, in turn, shifting power to their new papal monarchy. Pope Leo IX is an example of a mild papal reformer while Pope Gregory VII sought radical papal reform. These differences in papal reform beliefs defined the popes' relationships with their respective emperors, Henry III and Henry IV, and, correspondingly, defined the success of the Church and the Empire.

In 1309 Emperor Henry III inherited the throne and

There was great support for church reform by the Emperor and the Pope which correspondingly created a strong bond between them. Unfortunately, Leo IX's time as Pope ran out in 1054, which led to papal leadership by a strong group of reform cardinals. Henry III died and left his throne to his six year-old-son Henry IV in 1056. The end of Pope Leo IX and Emperor Henry III's alliance and years of cohesive church reform marked the beginning of a new alliance between two very different people, Pope Gregory VII and Emperor Henry III.

In the year 1057, after all of Emperor Henry III's papal appointees had died, a group of reform cardinals began appointing popes without lay control. Amongst the reformers was Hildebrand, who eventually became Pope Gregory VII. He wrote the "Papal Election Decree" which stated, "thenceforth the pope would be chosen by cardinals. The emperor and the Roman laity would merely give formal approval." Hildebrand spread the word of their elimination of lay control over appointing a pope all over the Empire. He made every place that he visited join his campaign and when he finally was pontificated in 1075 as Pope Gregory VII he immediately issued "The Dictate of the Pope." This legislation granted the pope total power over appointing papal officials and deposing and excommunicating anyone against the Church. At this time, Emperor Henry IV had grown up and had just begun showing promise as a strong Emperor.

immediately focused on papal reform in the Empire. The position of Emperor brought on great responsibility for Henry III, but also brought on great imperial power. Henry III decided that he would aim his power towards politics in papal Rome. At the time there was a battle for the title of pope that was bein

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