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The Synod of Worms is convened by the German king Heinrich IV under pressure from the German bishops, who repudiate their allegiance to Pope Gregory VII and declare him deposed. Heinrich demands Gregory's abdication and is supported by north Italian bishops at Piacenza, but Gregory assembles a Lenten Synod at Rome, suspends and excommunicates the rebellious German and Lombard prelates, deposes and excommunicates Heinrich, and creates political and ecclesiastical chaos in the German states and Lombardy. The Diet of Tribur in October orders Heinrich to humble himself, stand trial, and clear himself of Gregory's charges before February 22, 1077.
Ramon Berenguer I, count of Barcelona, dies May 26 at age 52 (approximate) after a 41-year reign in which he has expanded his territories to include Ampurias and Pallars, convened the local assembly (Cortes), encouraged it to debate the respective merits of Roman and medieval laws, and promulgated a legal code for Catalonia (the Usatjes de Barcelona). He is succeeded by his twin sons, Ramon Berenguer II and Berenguer Ramon II (but see 1082).
Nomadic Almoravids plunder Ghana's capital Kumbi as they overrun West Africa and impose their Islamic religion. Overgrazing will hasten the decline of the Ghana empire.
