MATILDE OF CANOSSA A WOMAN OF POWER

 Matilde, discendent of a longobard family, the Attonidi, was born in 1046. Her father was Marquis Bonifacio III and her mother was Beatrice of Lorena. Matilde was a protagonist in a period where there were struggles for the investiture. When her brothers and her father died, Matilde became the only heir and sovereign of the territory :Reggio Emilia, Modena; Ferrara, Spoleto, Parma, Camerino and a part of Lombardy. Matilde was engaged to Goffredo, the "hunchback" of Lorena .In a battle Enrico III emperor of Germany, imprisoned Matilde and her mother. When Henry III died Matilde and her mother came back in their estate. In 1076 Matilde gave hospitality Papa Gregorio VII and she attended the humiliation of Enrico IV emperor of Germany. In 1089 Matilde got married to Guelfo V. The year before the countess died, she ordered that all the churches and monasteries. Were to be rebuilt again. She died on the 24^th of July 1115 and she left her possession to the church.