DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.63447#0167
CONTEST BETWEEN THE TIARA AND THE CROWN. 151
of victory, he crossed the Alps, and ere the summer of
1080 set in, the German standards were descried bearing
down on Rome.
Then began the dramatic series of events which for
ever enchain our interest in the last act of Gregory VII.’s
eventful career. Then commenced that parallel decline
of his personal power which we may compare to the
retreat from Moscow of his great equal. The protracted
siege of Rome called forth all the energies, fortitude, and
the finest qualities of the Pope. He was supported by
the Romans with the energy of despair, and against
them they had the German feeling of outraged patriotism,
the personal revenge of Henry, and the cordial detesta-
tion of the Northern Italians, who had always abhorred
Hildebrand first, and then Gregory VII.
Finally, in the spring of 1084, the Romans were over-
powered, and the Imperialists burst into the city.
Then had Gregory to drink the bitter cup he had so
often forced on others ; he was obliged to seek a pre-
carious shelter in the castle of St. Angelo, whilst Guibert
of Brixen, under the title of Clement III., seated on the
Pontifical Throne in the great Basilica of the Lateran,
crowned Henry and Bertha Emperor of Germany and
King of Italy.
At that very moment, from the old Appian Way by
which the first Apostles had entered heathen Rome, came
an earthly Champion to the Pope. Robert Guiscard,
returning from Constantinople, bore onwards with a
mighty and mingled host of Saracens and of Christians,
and before this overwhelming army the Emperor was
compelled to retreat. But retribution—and retribution
which fell most heavily on the great flaw of Gregory’s
almost perfect character—now awaited him. The rescue
of Robert Guiscard brought him but a momentary gleam
of hope. He made, it is true, a triumphant return to
the Lateran; but a few hours afterwards the city was
wrapped in flame, in carnage, in ruin. The Normans,
Saracens, and Imperialists, joined in one common and
savage fray, and Gregory had to undergo all the agonies
of victory, he crossed the Alps, and ere the summer of
1080 set in, the German standards were descried bearing
down on Rome.
Then began the dramatic series of events which for
ever enchain our interest in the last act of Gregory VII.’s
eventful career. Then commenced that parallel decline
of his personal power which we may compare to the
retreat from Moscow of his great equal. The protracted
siege of Rome called forth all the energies, fortitude, and
the finest qualities of the Pope. He was supported by
the Romans with the energy of despair, and against
them they had the German feeling of outraged patriotism,
the personal revenge of Henry, and the cordial detesta-
tion of the Northern Italians, who had always abhorred
Hildebrand first, and then Gregory VII.
Finally, in the spring of 1084, the Romans were over-
powered, and the Imperialists burst into the city.
Then had Gregory to drink the bitter cup he had so
often forced on others ; he was obliged to seek a pre-
carious shelter in the castle of St. Angelo, whilst Guibert
of Brixen, under the title of Clement III., seated on the
Pontifical Throne in the great Basilica of the Lateran,
crowned Henry and Bertha Emperor of Germany and
King of Italy.
At that very moment, from the old Appian Way by
which the first Apostles had entered heathen Rome, came
an earthly Champion to the Pope. Robert Guiscard,
returning from Constantinople, bore onwards with a
mighty and mingled host of Saracens and of Christians,
and before this overwhelming army the Emperor was
compelled to retreat. But retribution—and retribution
which fell most heavily on the great flaw of Gregory’s
almost perfect character—now awaited him. The rescue
of Robert Guiscard brought him but a momentary gleam
of hope. He made, it is true, a triumphant return to
the Lateran; but a few hours afterwards the city was
wrapped in flame, in carnage, in ruin. The Normans,
Saracens, and Imperialists, joined in one common and
savage fray, and Gregory had to undergo all the agonies