Canossa

views updated May 18 2018

Canossa a town in Modena, Italy, where in 1077 the Emperor Henry IV (1050–1106), who had been excommunicated during his struggle with the papacy, was forced to recant and do penance before Pope Gregory VII. In 1872 Otto von Bismarck asserted we will not go to Canossa, in his denial of papal authority over German subjects.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

Canossa

views updated Jun 27 2018

Canossa (place): see GREGORY VII.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions JOHN BOWKER

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Canossa

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