Henry IV takes Rome and installs antipope

March 21, 1084

After months of siege, the German king finally entered Rome. Gregory VII remained barricaded in Castel Sant'Angelo. Henry had Clement III enthroned as antipope and was crowned emperor by him at Easter. The schism in the Western church was now formal and would last for years to come. Two rival popes now competed for the allegiance of Christendom, each excommunicating the other's supporters.