Henry V, born around 11 August 1081 or 1086, was King of Germany from 1099 to 1125 and Holy Roman Emperor from 1111 to 1125, representing the last ruler of the Salian dynasty. He was appointed co-ruler by his father, Henry IV, in 1098. During his father's conflicts with the imperial princes and the papacy, Henry V allied with his father's opponents, leading to Henry IV's abdication on 31 December 1105. For five years, Henry V ruled in accordance with the imperial princes but struggled to withdraw the regalia from bishops. In 1111, he captured Pope Paschal II, compelling him to crown Henry as emperor. Following his coronation, Henry V shifted from shared rule with the princes to a more autocratic style, but his attempts to exert control over the church met resistance. By 1121, the princes forced him to reconcile with the papacy, culminating in the Concordat of Worms in 1122, which ended the Investiture Controversy.Henry V's early life was marked by the political turmoil surrounding his father, who faced significant opposition from the church and secular princes. Henry IV's conflicts with Pope Gregory VII and subsequent excommunications created a divided empire. Henry V's relationship with his father was complex; he was initially loyal but later joined the reformist faction, leading to his father's downfall. After Henry IV's abdication, Henry V's reign began with a period of relative harmony with the princes, during which he sought to involve them more in governance and church reforms.Henry V's rule was characterized by a focus on consensus with the nobility, which allowed him to access all parts of the empire and intervene in political affairs. He engaged in military campaigns, including efforts to restore the Duke of Bohemia and conflicts with Hungary and Poland. However, his attempts to maintain control over Italy faced challenges, as the region saw a decline in imperial authority during his reign. Despite this, he continued the practice of investiture, which led to further tensions with the papacy.In 1111, Henry V's ambitions led him to Italy, where he sought to resolve the Investiture Controversy. His military campaign aimed to assert his authority and secure his inheritance from Matilda of Tuscany. However, his capture of Pope Paschal II and subsequent imprisonment of the pope resulted in widespread condemnation and loss of support. The situation escalated, leading to Henry's excommunication and a breakdown of relations with the church.After returning to Germany, Henry V faced increasing opposition from the princes, particularly in Saxony and the Rhineland. His autocratic governance style alienated many nobles, leading to revolts and military defeats. The marriage to Matilda of England in 1110 aimed to strengthen his position but did not produce male heirs. As tensions grew, Henry's authority diminished, culminating in the Concordat of Worms, which marked a significant compromise between the papacy and the empire.Henry V's later years were marked by military campaigns in France and continued struggles for power within the empire. He died on 23 May 1125 in Utrecht, leaving no legitimate heirs. His death marked the end of the Salian dynasty, and the subsequent election of Lothar III as king reflected a shift in the basis of legitimacy from hereditary claims to electoral support from the princes.

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Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor