William I, Bishop of Utrecht
Encyclopedia
William I was bishop of Utrecht between 1054 and 1076. He was a typical representative of the German
imperial system in which bishops (who couldn't inherite their lands) were the main officials of the empire. He was a loyal follower of king Henry IV
of Germany. William was appointed when a war was going on against the county of West Frisia (later known as Holland), which was rebelling against imperial authority. The imperial army conquered large parts of West Frisia in 1061, when Dirk V
became count. King Henry gave the whole county to the bishopric of Utrecht in 1064. The whole of West Frisia was conquered in 1076 with the help of duke Godfrey III.
William took part in the Great German Pilgrimage of 1064–1065.
William supported the king during the investiture controversy
. He called for disobedience towards Gregory VII
at the synod of Worms
in 1076. Much of West Frisia was recovered by count Dirk after the death of bishop William in the same year.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
imperial system in which bishops (who couldn't inherite their lands) were the main officials of the empire. He was a loyal follower of king Henry IV
Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor
Henry IV was King of the Romans from 1056 and Holy Roman Emperor from 1084 until his forced abdication in 1105. He was the third emperor of the Salian dynasty and one of the most powerful and important figures of the 11th century...
of Germany. William was appointed when a war was going on against the county of West Frisia (later known as Holland), which was rebelling against imperial authority. The imperial army conquered large parts of West Frisia in 1061, when Dirk V
Dirk V, Count of Holland
Dirk V was Count of Holland from 1061 to 1091.Dirk V succeeded Floris I, under the guardianship of his mother, Gertrude of Saxony. William I, Bishop of Utrecht, took advantage of the young ruler, occupying territory that he had claimed in Holland. William's claim was confirmed by two charters of...
became count. King Henry gave the whole county to the bishopric of Utrecht in 1064. The whole of West Frisia was conquered in 1076 with the help of duke Godfrey III.
William took part in the Great German Pilgrimage of 1064–1065.
William supported the king during the investiture controversy
Investiture Controversy
The Investiture Controversy or Investiture Contest was the most significant conflict between Church and state in medieval Europe. In the 11th and 12th centuries, a series of Popes challenged the authority of European monarchies over control of appointments, or investitures, of church officials such...
. He called for disobedience towards Gregory VII
Pope Gregory VII
Pope St. Gregory VII , born Hildebrand of Sovana , was Pope from April 22, 1073, until his death. One of the great reforming popes, he is perhaps best known for the part he played in the Investiture Controversy, his dispute with Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor affirming the primacy of the papal...
at the synod of Worms
Synod of Worms
The Synod of Worms was an ecclesiastical synod convened by the Emperor Henry IV in January 1076, at Worms, Germany. It was intended to agree a condemnation of Pope Gregory VII, and Henry's success in achieving this outcome marked the beginning of the Investiture Controversy.Of the 38 German...
in 1076. Much of West Frisia was recovered by count Dirk after the death of bishop William in the same year.