The Kingdom of Italy (Latin: Regnum Italiae or Regnum Italicum) is one of the constituent kingdoms of the Holy Roman Empire (800–1806), along with the kingdoms of Germany and Burgundy.
It comprisesmost of northern and central Italy, but excludes the Republic of Venice.
Its original capital is Pavia until the 11th century.In 773, Charlemagne (died 814), the King of the Franks, crosses the Alps to invade the Kingdom of the Lombards, which encompassesall of Italy except the Duchy of Rome and some Byzantine possessions in the south.
In June 774, the kingdom collapses and the Franks become masters of northern Italy.
The southern regions remain under Lombard control.
Charlemagne adopts the title "King of the Lombards" and in 800 has himself crowned "Emperor of the Romans" in Rome.
In 781, he had given Italy to his son, Pepin (died 810).
In 818, Pepin's line dies out and the kingdom passes to his cousin, Lothair I.
Members of the Carolingian dynasty continue to rule Italy until the deposition of Charles the Fat in 887, after which they once briefly regain the throne in 894–96.
Until 961, the rule of Italy is continually contested by several aristocratic families from both within and without the kingdom.
