The struggle between the Salian dynasty ruling the Holy Roman Empire and the rebel Saxons during the reign of King Henry IV of Germany reaches its climax in the period from summer 1073 until the end of 1075, in a rebellion that involves several clashes of arms.

The ensuing civil war from 1077 and 1088 is led by a group of opportunistic German princes who elect as their figurehead the duke of Swabia and anti-king Rudolf of Rheinfeld, a two-way brother-in-law of the young Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor (Henry had been crowned at the age of six and assumed his offices at sixteen).