63
King Henry was twenty-two years of age when Hildebrand was elected pope in May of 1073 . The newly installed pope perceived that Henry was in need of his counsel and initially , the king appeared receptive toward as much when he expressed regret for his past errors and promised to make improvements in himself
Emperor Henry IV and the German church . 134 Henry wrote to Gregory in
August or September of 1073 :
Partly through the impulses of my deceitful youth , partly through the seductive counsels of my advisers , I have sinned against heaven and before you with fraudulent disloyalty and am no more worthy to be called your son . Not only have I encroached upon the property of the Church , but I have sold churches themselves to unworthy persons , men poisoned with the gall of Simony , … I cannot regulate the churches alone , without authority from you , I most earnestly beg your advice and help in this and in all my affairs . Your directions shall be scrupulously followed in all respects . 135
Gregory VII ’ s pontificate began during a period of unease between the papacy and the German court , when the reform movement first threatened the customs by which the monarchy controlled churches within the Holy Roman Empire . Evidence had surfaced that suggested the king used
134 Carroll , 501-2 .
135 Emerton , 19 .