Otto’s foray into Italy has gained the…
952 CE
Otto’s foray into Italy has gained the German king the Iron Crown of Lombardy as well as a new, wealth wife, in the person of Adealide of Italy, widow of Lothair of Italy.
Despite Otto's plans to claim the imperial title, trouble arises in northern Germany, forcing Otto to return with the majority of his army back across the Alps in 952.
Otto does leave a small portion of his army behind in Italy and appoints his son-in-law Conrad, Duke of Lorraine, as his regent and tasks him with subduing Berengar II.
Otto's regent in Italy, in a weak military position with few troops, attempts a diplomatic solution and opens peace negotiations with Berengar II.
Conrad recognizes that a military confrontation would impose great costs upon Germany, both in manpower and in treasure.
At a time when the kingdom is facing invasions from the north by the Danes and from the east by the Slavs and Hungarians, all available resources are required north of the Alps.
Conrad believes a client state relationship with Italy would be in Germany’s best interest.
He offers a peace treaty, in which Berengar II would remain King of Italy on the condition that he recognize Otto as his overlord.
Berengar II agrees and the pair travel north to meet with Otto to seal the agreement.
Conrad’s treaty is met with disdain from both Adelaide and Henry, Otto’s brother.
Though Adelaide is Burgundian by birth, she had been raised as an Italian.
Her father Rudolf II of Burgundy had been briefly king of Italy prior to being deposed and she herself had briefly been queen of Italy until the death of her husband Lothair II of Italy.
Berengar II had imprisoned her when she refused to marry his son, Adalbert of Italy.
Henry had other reasons to disapprove of the peace treaty.
As Duke of Bavaria, he controls territory on the northern side of the German-Italian border.
Henry had hope that, with Berengar II being deposed, his own fiefdom would be greatly expanded by incorporating territory south of the Alps.
Conrad and Henry are already not on good terms, and the proposed treaty drives the two dukes further apart.
Adelaide and Henry conspire together to persuade Otto to reject Conrad’s treaty.
Conrad and Berengar II arrive at Magdeburg to meet Otto, but Adelaide has them wait three days before an audience is granted.
This is a humiliating offense for the man Otto had named his regent.
Though Adelaide and Henry urge the treaty's immediate rejection, Otto refers the issue to an Imperial Diet for further debate.