DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.63447#0140
124 THE HISTORICAL PAST OF ITALY.
Meanwhile, Henry IV. had succeeded his father,
Henry HI. The first few years of his reign were passed
under the guardianship of his mother Agnes, the gentle
widow of Henry III. But a conspiracy was entered into
by rebellious nobles and Churchmen, to obtain possession
of the Imperial youth when he was but thirteen years of
age.
As Agnes and her son were reposing at Kaiserworth,
on the Rhine, from the fatigues of a journey, a galley,
impelled by swift rowers, and adorned with every embel-
lishment of art and luxury, appeared before them on the
waters of the river.
Anno, Archbishop of Cologne, descended from the
barge, and, with every appearance of fair courtesy, invited
the youthful Henry to inspect it. He gladly complied,
and enjoyed with unfeigned and boyish delight the rapid
strokes of the oarsmen and the luxury of the galley.
Soon, however, he became aware of the distance increas-
ing between him and his mother; and the anxious
countenances of the commanders, urging the rowers to
still greater efforts, made him aware of the treachery
practised on him. With an energy worthy of riper
years, he plunged into the river, and attempted, but in
vain, to swim back.
He was consigned to a sumptuous captivity, whilst the
Archbishops of Cologne and Mentz, supported by the
Dukes of Bavaria and Tuscany, usurped all authority,
and plundered the royal treasures during the remainder
of his minority.
During this period, Hildebrand, after his accession to
the Papal throne, laboured with characteristic intensity in
preparing the way for his future operations. His first
battle was against himself, and his first combat was
against his own feebler nature, which he succeeded in
completely subduing; and thus concentrating all his
energies on the duties of his exalted position.
His first step was enforcing the celibacy of the clergy.
Marriage, and that order of domestic companionship
sanctioned from all time by custom, and even by ecclesi-
Meanwhile, Henry IV. had succeeded his father,
Henry HI. The first few years of his reign were passed
under the guardianship of his mother Agnes, the gentle
widow of Henry III. But a conspiracy was entered into
by rebellious nobles and Churchmen, to obtain possession
of the Imperial youth when he was but thirteen years of
age.
As Agnes and her son were reposing at Kaiserworth,
on the Rhine, from the fatigues of a journey, a galley,
impelled by swift rowers, and adorned with every embel-
lishment of art and luxury, appeared before them on the
waters of the river.
Anno, Archbishop of Cologne, descended from the
barge, and, with every appearance of fair courtesy, invited
the youthful Henry to inspect it. He gladly complied,
and enjoyed with unfeigned and boyish delight the rapid
strokes of the oarsmen and the luxury of the galley.
Soon, however, he became aware of the distance increas-
ing between him and his mother; and the anxious
countenances of the commanders, urging the rowers to
still greater efforts, made him aware of the treachery
practised on him. With an energy worthy of riper
years, he plunged into the river, and attempted, but in
vain, to swim back.
He was consigned to a sumptuous captivity, whilst the
Archbishops of Cologne and Mentz, supported by the
Dukes of Bavaria and Tuscany, usurped all authority,
and plundered the royal treasures during the remainder
of his minority.
During this period, Hildebrand, after his accession to
the Papal throne, laboured with characteristic intensity in
preparing the way for his future operations. His first
battle was against himself, and his first combat was
against his own feebler nature, which he succeeded in
completely subduing; and thus concentrating all his
energies on the duties of his exalted position.
His first step was enforcing the celibacy of the clergy.
Marriage, and that order of domestic companionship
sanctioned from all time by custom, and even by ecclesi-