Digital Continent Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul 2016 | Page 80

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was powerful show of papal power.153 Henry gained absolution from the pope because he
explicitly accepted the pope as judge. Henry’s success at Canossa was costly for secular power
in general because he had bowed to the authority that the See of Rome possessed, evidenced by
both Sacred Scripture and Tradition, but had not always been able to exercise. Henry’s
appearance as a penitent at Canossa gave weight and merit to the pope’s claim of superiority
over the monarchy. A success for the papacy, it was not regarded as such by the princes who
had hoped to legitimize their efforts to elevate a new prince to the throne by means of their
alliance with the pope. They proceeded as if absolution had never been granted and met during
March of 1077 Forcheim to elect Rudolf of Rheinfelden as their anti-king, who immediately
assured the Holy Father of his obedience.154
The Problem of an Anti-King
Rudolf swore to allow the free
canonical election of bishops
and promised not maintain a
hereditary dynasty. Future
kings were to be elected.
Despite the promises, the pope
could not immediately
recognize Rudolf, even though
his legates approved of the
election. Civil war consumed

153

Ullman, 157.

154

Robinson, The Papacy: 1073-1198, 405-7.