Dictatus papae and Canossa

Dictatus papae asserts the pope may depose emperors, that all princes shall kiss his feet, and that he may release subjects from allegiance. In 1077 Henry IV stands outside at Canossa.

Geometry, Pride: A reading: a seat judged by no one has made itself its own reference.

In plain words

Dictatus papae claims the pope may depose emperors, that all princes shall kiss his feet, and that he may release subjects from their oaths; in 1077 King Henry IV stands outside the gate at Canossa. A seat that judges all, is judged by none and cannot err is not claiming to teach; it is claiming to be beyond checking.

The mechanism

THE CLAIM WRITTEN DOWN, AND CASHED TWO YEARS LATER — a seat that judges all, is judged by none, and cannot have erred is not a claim to teach. It is a claim to be unfalsifiable

How it was checked

• EvidenceT7 PRIMARY DOCUMENT / MEASUREMENT; Status: COMMITTED
• Letter eraTHE CAPTURE 313 to 1302
• Plate — Donizo, Vita Mathildis (Acta Comitissae Mathildis) · Biblioteca Panizzi, Reggio Emilia · Public domain · source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Donizo,_Acta_Comitissae_Mathildis.jpg
• SourcesPRIMARY DOCUMENT + SECULAR RECORD