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Birth of Henry IV
295

Cologne, where Pope and Emperor kept the feast of St Peter and St Paul (29 June). Godfrey was smitten with fear and, leaving Baldwin in the lurch, surrendered. His life was left him, but liberty and lands he forfeited, "for he merited no mercy because of his cruel deeds." He had claimed two duchies and governed one: he was now for the second time a landless captive. Then, when Henry systematically ravaged Baldwin's lands, he too gave in, came to terms and gave hostages for his faith. So the desolating war was over and there was again, for a short time, peace within the Empire.

Thus the Emperor was free to watch with friendly eye the reforming work of the German Pope as he held a synod at Rheims (3 October 1049). Here appeared not only French bishops in goodly numbers but also English because of the friendliness of Edward with Henry; as the synod was to be "Gallic" there also came to it the prelates of Trèves, Metz, Verdun, Besançon and Lyons. A fortnight later Leo held a German synod at Mayence, attended by a throng of bishops and abbots from all parts of the kingdom. This inner peace Henry secured by outward guard: he urged the Bavarian princes and nobles to watch the Danube; he brought Casimir of Poland to a sworn friendship. Thus he could better face the threatening Hungarian war. Grievous sickness had again attacked him when the birth of an heir gave him a new and dynastic interest in the future.

The young Henry was born on 11 November 1050, at Goslar, the scene of so many events in his life. "In the autumn of this year," says the annalist of Altaich, "the Empress bore a son," and Herman of Reichenau adds "at last." Even before his baptism all the bishops and princes near at hand promised him faith and obedience. At Easter the infant prince was baptised at Cologne and Hugh of Cluny, who was again to be his sponsor at Canossa, was specially summoned to be his sponsor now. In this year Henry completed his work at Goslar, which "from a little mill and hunting-box he made into so great a city." Besides the great new palace he built a church, and set up there canons regular to carry on its work. Two bishops, Benno of Osnabrück and Azelin of Hildesheim, were placed over the work of the new foundation, and soon for ardour in learning and strictness in discipline Goslar had no equal in the province.

After the royal baptism Henry with greater hope for his realm had started on the Hungarian campaign. But the king, Andrew, partly withstood and partly eluded him: the German army could only burn and ravage whole districts until hunger forced their return. Soon after, Adalbert of Austria made a compact with Andrew and peace ensued.

Lower Lorraine still called for Henry's care. Count Lambert of Louvain first gave trouble, and then Richeldis, heiress of Hainault and widow of Herman of Mons, by a marriage with Baldwin's son, the Margrave Baldwin of Antwerp, roused Henry's fear and local strife.