Kingdom of Italy

(Today part of: northern and northwestern Italy)

Back in the second half of the 8^th century, the Frankish ruler conquered the northern reaches of the Kingdom of Lombardy, whose power will, from then on, only hold sway in the central and southern parts of the Apennine Peninsula. He had also taken the title of “King of the Lombards.” After division of the Carolingian Empire in 843 under the Treaty of Verdun nothern part of Apennine Peninsula became a part of Middle Francia. As opposed to East and West Francia, vast territorial units, had not been able to form in Middle Francia, turning the land into a mosaic of city-states, often at odds with each other. Formally, the area was under the rule of Frankish emperors, whose title was held by the Carolingian dynasty up until 888 AD, and then again for a short time period between 896 and 899, after which the Italian nobility will compete against each other for the title, in a series of civil wars.

The most powerful among them was the king of Italy, Berengar of Friuli (ruled 887 – 924), who was also crowned Emperor by the pope (915 AD), after his victory over the Saracens, who had become threat to the south of the peninsula. His rule was marked by conflicts due to contesting of his title, but also by the incursions of Hungarian cavalry in the eastern parts of the Empire. After his death (915 AD), the Emperor’s seat will remain empty until Otto of Saxony is proclaimed Emperor in 961 AD. From that day on, until the 12^th century, Emperors will often be absent from Italian territory. Going south towards Rome on their path, passing Milan, Pavia, or Monza, the Emperors would put the Lombardi crown on the heads of Italian kings, but as soon as they would recall the army because of some “German” problem, rebellions would spring instantly, spreading from one province to another.