Henry III

Reign: 1046 – 1056
Life: 1016–1056

The emperor's death the following year ended a remarkably smooth and harmonious transition process towards Henry's sovereign rule, that was rather uncharacteristic for the Ottonian and Salian monarchs. Henry succeeded Conrad II as Duke of Carinthia and King of Italy and continued to pursue his father's political course on the basis of virtus et probitas (courage and honesty), which led to an unprecedented sacral exaltation of the kingship. In the duchies, Henry enforced the sovereign royal right of disposition, thereby ensuring tighter control. In Lorraine, this led to years of conflict from which he emerged victorious. Henry III died in 1056, aged only 39.

During Henry III's reign, Edward the Confessor ruled England, Macbeth ruled Scotland, and Henry I of France ruled France.

Want to learn more? Further reading

The Holy Roman Empire by Peter H. Wilson

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The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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The Holy Roman Empire

Peter H. Wilson

Henry III's reign, imperial reform and the Investiture struggle's prelude.

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