1. Canossa - Noun
2. Canossa - Proper noun
Canossa
A comune and castle town in the Province of Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy, famed as the site where the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV did penance in 1077, standing three days bare-headed in the snow, in order to reverse his excommunication by Pope Gregory VII.
Canossa
(figuratively) An act of humiliating repentance.
Gregory VII appeared to have succeeded when the emperor Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor was humiliated at Canossa in 1077. Source: Internet
In the end, Henry IV journeyed to Canossa in northern Italy in 1077 to do penance and to receive absolution from the pope. Source: Internet
In the Investiture Controversy which began between Henry IV and Pope Gregory VII over appointments to ecclesiastical offices, the emperor was compelled to submit to the Pope at Canossa in 1077, after having been excommunicated. Source: Internet
Foundation of churches By legend Matilda of Canossa is said to have founded one hundred churches. Source: Internet
Henry made his way to the Canossa where the Pope was staying in the castle of Countess Matilda. Source: Internet
Since the times of Adalbert Atto the power of the Canossa family had been based on a network of castles, fortresses and fortified villages in the Val d'Enza, forming a complex polygonal defense that had always resisted all attack from the Apennines. Source: Internet