The Investiture Controversy we talked about mostly this week was between King Henry of Germany (Holy Roman Emperor) and Pope Gregory. They both wanted to appoint their own bishops. Henry wanted to have this power so that he could put men who would obey him in the church position, therefore giving Henry slightly more power over his kingdom. The pope wanted this power, obviously, because he was the head of the church. When Henry disagreed with the pope, the pope responded by kicking him out of the church. Because Henry was now excommunicated, he was deposed as King of Italy and Holy Roman Emperor. Henry apologized, and he was brought back into the church. As is natural, Henry wanted his throne back, so he invaded Rome, his object being to find a new pope. The pope got the Normans to help him fend of Henry, and succeeded, but then the Normans decided to sack Rome, and they did, carrying off many valuables. The Investiture Controversies continued throughout the middle ages, carried on by new popes and Kings, fighting to see who would control the church.