Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor

Henry IV was Holy Roman Emperor from 1084 to 1105, King of Germany from 1054 to 1105, King of Italy and Burgundy from 1056 to 1105, and Duke of Bavaria from 1052 to 1054. He was the son of Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor—the second monarch of the Salian dynasty—and Agnes of Poitou. After his father's death on 5 October 1056, Henry was placed under his mother's guardianship. She made grants to German aristocrats to secure their support. Unlike her late husband, she could not control the election of the popes, thus the idea of the "liberty of the Church" strengthened during her rule. Taking advantage of her weakness, Archbishop Anno II of Cologne kidnapped Henry in April 1062. He administered Germany until Henry came of age in 1065.

11 November 1050

Born on the same birth day (11 November): Al Holbert • Benedicta Boccoli • Catherine of Poděbrady • Henry Wade • Jean-Gabriel Pageau • Jigme Singye Wangchuck • Kathy Postlewait • Maria Teresa de Filippis • Martha Annie Whiteley • Orestis Laskos • Ottavio Piccolomini • Philip McKeon • Philipp Lahm • Roger Slifer • Sancho I of Portugal • Scoot McNairy • Stanley Tucci • Stephen Lewis • Thomas C. Mann • Vernon Handley • Vince Martell