Adalbert I of Ivrea facts for kids

Adalbert I (died after 929) was an important leader in Italy during the early Middle Ages. He was the margrave (a type of powerful count who ruled a border area) of Ivrea. Adalbert belonged to the Anscarid family.

He became margrave after his father, Anscar I, sometime between 896 and 900. During a time of civil war in Italy (from 888 to the 930s), Adalbert first tried to stay neutral. But after 901, he started supporting different people who wanted to be king of Italy.

Early Life and First Marriage

Adalbert was the son of Margrave Anscar I. His family originally came from a region called Upper Burgundy. When King Louis of Provence invaded Italy in 900, Adalbert did not immediately pick a side. However, after Louis was crowned emperor in 901, Adalbert decided to support him.

In 902, Louis was defeated by his rival, Berengar I. Adalbert then changed his loyalty to Berengar. Around 903, Adalbert married Gisela of Friuli, who was Berengar's daughter. This marriage likely helped secure his loyalty to Berengar.

Adalbert and Gisela had two children:

• Berengar: He later became margrave after his father.
• Bertha: She became an abbess (a leader of a group of nuns) in Modena.

Second Marriage and Political Moves

Gisela died between 913 and 915. Adalbert then married Ermengarde of Tuscany. She was the daughter of another powerful margrave, Adalbert II of Tuscany. From this second marriage, Adalbert had another son named Anscar, who later became the Duke of Spoleto.

Around 916–917, Adalbert was mainly concerned with protecting his lands from Saracen raids. These were attacks by groups from North Africa and the Middle East.

In 920–921, Adalbert joined other noblemen who wanted Rudolf II of Burgundy to become the new king of Italy. Adalbert, along with Lambert (the Archbishop of Milan), and Count Gilbert of Bergamo, gathered an army. They planned to march on Verona and capture King Berengar.

However, Berengar found out about their plan. He sent Magyar soldiers (mercenaries from Hungary) to attack Adalbert's forces from behind. During the battle, Adalbert cleverly swapped clothes with one of his soldiers. This allowed him to pay a small ransom and escape.

By late 921, Rudolf had entered Italy and was recognized as king in Ivrea and Milan. Adalbert did visit Rudolf's court a few times, but his wife and sons went more often.

Later Years and Death

After Hugh became the new king of Italy, Adalbert's name appears less often in historical records. He did not seem to play a role in Rudolf's removal from power or Hugh becoming king.

It is thought that Adalbert was very ill during this time. One writer, Liutprand of Cremona, even thought he had died around 924–925. Adalbert's last known action was a gift to the church of Saint Andrew in Turin. King Hugh witnessed this gift on February 28, 929. Adalbert likely died shortly after this date.

Sources

• Fasoli, Gina, "Adalberto d'Ivrea". Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani, 1. Rome: Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana, 1960.
• Wickham, Chris. Early Medieval Italy: Central Power and Local Society, 400–1000. London: MacMillan Press, 1981.

See also

In Spanish: Adalberto I de Ivrea para niños