Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor
In 1053, Pope Leo IX declared Grado to be the true patriarchate, a "Nova Aquileia" and "caput et metropolis" of the Province of "Venetia et Histria". Gotebald was relegated to being mere "Forojuliensis episcopus". In response to this, Gotebald took up arms to defend the territorial integrity of his patriarchal diocese. He refused to aid the papal reformers against simoniacs. He did, however, have the friendship of Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor, who even confirmed the false diploma. Gotebald and the emperor put pressure on Pope Victor II to reverse the decision of Leo, but to no avail.