Digital Continent Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul 2016 | Page 34

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The death of Henry II brought about the
end of the male Ottonian line of kings. His
actions and policies, viewed as beneficial to the
advancement of God’s earthly kingdom, led to
his canonization a little more than a century
after his death.57 Conrad II was a relation to
Henry I through the female line. His election
brought to power the Salian dynasty that later produced Henry IV. Conrad maintained many of
the policies of Henry II in the continuation of an uncontested theocratic regime. As the
representative of Christ, Conrad accepted his sovereignty over the imperial state-church system
and intervened in ecclesiastical affairs. He convened and attended synods where he openly
expressed his wishes.58 Conrad, like Henry II, associated his monarchy with the rule of
Charlemagne. Both men believed in a firm hand when it came to ruling for the sake of unity and
relied upon the services of the imperial church. The king’s authority was to be recognized as the
apex of the hierarchy of power.59
It was Henry III who embodied and exemplified those traditions and characteristics in
one king and emperor and who unknowingly served as the peak upon which the theocratic
kingship would balance and then later unravel in his son Henry IV. Authors have favorably
compared the monarchy of Henry III to that of King David. He possessed a desirable personality
and held a firm grip on his reign which like that of King David was referred to as a golden age.

57

“Saint Henry II,“ CatholicSaints.Info, last modified July 2, 2015, accessed July 9, 2015,
http://catholicsaints.info/saint-henry-ii/.
58

Blumenthal, The Investiture Controversy, 46.

59

Weinfurter, 26.