Henry III (Holy Roman Empire)

Henry III (Holy Roman Empire), called The Black (1017-1056) German king (1028-1056) and Holy Roman emperor (1046-1056), son and successor of Conrad II. When, in 1041, the Bohemians invaded the lands of the Poles, who were Henry's vassals, Henry brought them to submission, compelling the duke of Bohemia to recognize his suzerainty. Between 1043 and 1045 Henry campaigned successfully to restore the deposed Hungarian king to his throne and for a short time afterward controlled Hungary. Henry was greatly concerned with church reform and went to Rome in 1046 to settle the conflict caused by three rival claimants to the papacy. Setting aside the three antipopes, he appointed a German bishop, who, as Pope Clement II, crowned Henry Holy Roman emperor. During the rest of his reign Henry appointed three succeeding popes, all Germans. Returning to Germany, he contended with domestic rebellions. Henry supported the church's attempts to check clerical abuses; he also strengthened the power of the papacy, which proved disadvantageous for his son, Henry IV.