Germany: Henry IV (1050-1106), 18th Holy Roman emperor, from the book Icones imperatorvm romanorvm, ex priscis numismatibus ad viuum delineatae, & breui narratione historica, 1645

Henry IV (1050-1106), son of Emperor Henry III, was crowned King of Germany in 1056 after his father's death, though his young age meant his mother ruled as regent in his stead. He was kidnapped in the Coup of Kaiserswerth in 1062, a conspiracy led by the Archbishop of Cologne Anno II, who ruled the Holy Roman Empire while supervising over Henry's education and training.

When Anno was absent from Germany for a period, Henry managed to wrest back control of the government, and spent much of his reign consolidating his imperial power. The Investiture Controversy occurred during his rule, one of the most significant conflicts between Church and state in mediaeval Europe. Several civil wars were also waged over his throne, in both Germany and Italy, and while launching a third punitive expdition into Italy in 1093, Henry's son Conrad turned against him, crowned as King of Italy by one of Henry's fiercest foes, Matilda of Tuscany.

Henry finally formally deposed Conrad in 1098 and named his younger son Henry V as his successor. However, Henry V later also turned on his father in 1104, encouraged by the pope who had once again excommunicated his father. He was imprisoned and forced to resign his crown, though he escaped in 1106 and began to amass considerable support to his name. He defeated his son, but died soon afterwards from an illness. Henry was one of the most powerful and important figures of the 11th century.

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