Henry IV of Germany outside the gates of Canossa Bloomsbury and Inns of Court Association situated in a flat valley

situated in a flat valley with surrounding hills

carrying two baskets of his wares

and the rest of the company looks on with various expressions

View of Hyde Park Corner Turnpike

Henry IV of Germany outside the gates of Canossa Bloomsbury and Inns of Court Association situated in a flat valleyHenry IV of Germany outside the gates of Canossa, Italy, 1077 (1913). Barefoot, clad in a hair shirt, Henry appeared before the gates, begging for admission. Henry IV (1050 1106) was King of Germany from 1056 and Holy Roman Emperor from 1084. In 1077, he performed penance outside the gates of Canossa Castle in order to persuade Pope Gregory VII to reverse his excommunication. The incident occurred during the Investiture Controversy, a conflict between