a.

1071. Alp Arslan, the Seljuk Sultan, defeats and captures the Eastern
Emperor, Romanus Diogenes.

1072. Palermo is taken by the Normans, who reduce the whole of Sicily.

1073. Lissa, taken by the Normans, is recovered by the Venetians.

Hildebrand elected pope; he takes the name of Gregory VII; the sale of
church benefices in Germany forbidden by him. See "TRIUMPHS OF
HILDEBRAND," v, 231.

1074. Gregory VII suggests the first idea of a general crusade against
the Turks.

1075. Lay investiture prohibited by a council called by Gregory VII. See
"TRIUMPHS OF HILDEBRAND," v, 231.

1076. Atziz, Malek Shah's lieutenant, conquers Syria from the Fatimites
of Egypt, and takes Jerusalem.

Christian pilgrims are persecuted by the Seljukian Turks.

Henry IV, Emperor of Germany, holds a council at Rome which deposes
Gregory VII. In union with the German princes the Pope deposes the
Emperor.

1077. Pope Gregory exacts an annual tribute from Alfonso, King of
Castile.

At Canossa Henry IV humbles himself before the Pope and is absolved. See
"TRIUMPHS OF HILDEBRAND," v, 231.

1079. Boleslas of Poland excommunicated by Gregory and expelled by his
subjects.

1080. Henry IV convenes a council which deposes Gregory VII; it elects
Guibert, Antipope Clement III, in his stead.

End of the war between Henry and Rudolph of Saxony caused by the death
of the latter.

1081. Constantinople captured by Alexis Comnenus, who is placed by his
soldiers on the Byzantine throne.

1084. Gregory VII is besieged in the castle of St. Angelo; Robert
Guiscard delivers the Pope. See "TRIUMPHS OF HILDEBRAND," v, 231.

1085. Death of Gregory VII, in exile at Salerno; the papacy vacant till
the following year.

Conquest of Toledo from the Moors by Alfonso of Castile.

1086. "COMPLETION OF THE DOMESDAY BOOK." See v, 242.

The Mahometans of Spain invite the chief of the Almoravides to assist
them. See "DECLINE OF THE MOORISH POWER IN SPAIN," v, 256.

1087. King William of England invades France; he dies at Rouen. His
eldest son, Robert, inherits Normandy; his second son, William Rufus,
secures the throne of England.

1088. Yussef is called into Spain by the Moorish princes; their
jealousies and discords render his assistance unavailing. See "DECLINE
OF THE MOORISH POWER IN SPAIN," v, 256.

1089. Henry IV excommunicated by Pope Urban II. A violent earthquake in
England.

The disease known as St. Anthony's fire breaks out in Lorraine