portugal was then a fief of león, and the ambitious count henry pursued a vigorous program of ecclesiastical and political autonomy. by 1114, mauritius had become embroiled in a dispute with the spanish primate and papal legate in castile, bernard of toledo, to the extent that he was called to rome and suspended by pope paschal ii (1099–1118). nevertheless, he found favor at the papal court, and in 1116, when emperor henry v (1105–1125) invaded italy during the ongoing confrontations over the emperor's rights of investiture of clerics, paschal ii sent mauritius with some cardinals on an embassy to the emperor, while the pope and the curia fled south to benevento. mauritius openly espoused the cause of henry, and defected to the emperor's side. henry v went to rome, and on easter sunday, march 23, 1117, was crowned holy roman emperor by mauritius. paschal ii deposed and excommunicated henry v and removed mauritius from office.