Henry IV, having seen much of the royal demesne seized by nobles during the regency of his mother, Agnes, is determined to regain these alienated estates and to provide a firm territorial base for his rulership over north central Germany.

As episcopal power has grown dominant during his minority, Henry attempts to choose bishops he can control.

He expels from the Crown Council in 1066 Adalbert of Hamburg-Bremen, who has profited from his position for personal enrichment.

Henry also adopts urgent military measures against the Slav pagans, who have recently invaded Germany and besieged Hamburg.

Henry marries Bertha of Savoy/Turin, daughter of Otto, Count of Savoy, to whom he had been betrothed in 1055, in June of the following year.

In 1066 also, at the request of the Pope, he assembles an army to fight the Italo-Normans of southern Italy.

Henry's troops reach Augsburg when he receives news that Godfrey of Tuscany, husband of the powerful Matilda of Canossa, marchioness of Tuscany, had already attacked the Normans.

The expedition is therefore halted.