Canossa, a ruined castle of Northern Italy, 12 miles SW. of Reggio. In its courtyard the emperor Henry IV. (q.v.) stood shivering, bareheaded and barefooted, for three whole days (25-28th January 1077) before Pope Gregory VII., who was staying here with the Countess Matilda of Tuscany, admitted him to his presence, and removed the ban of excommunication.
Canossa
Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 2: Beaugency to Cataract, p. 724
Source scan(s): p. 0739