Henry IV of Germany was a Holy Roman Emperor who reigned from 1056 to 1106. He was born in 1050 and became king at a young age after the death of his father, Henry III. His reign was marked by conflicts with the papacy, particularly with Pope Gregory VII, over issues of church authority and investiture. Henry IV's struggle for power led to significant political turmoil, including his famous walk to Canossa in 1077, where he sought forgiveness from the pope. Despite his efforts, his reign faced challenges from rebellious nobles and internal strife, ultimately leading to his deposition in 1105.