Adelaide of Susa facts for kids

Adelaide of Turin (born around 1014/1020 – died December 19, 1091) was a very powerful noblewoman in Northwestern Italy. She ruled a large area called the March of Turin from 1034 until her death. She was the last important member of her family, the Arduinici. People sometimes compare her to Matilda of Tuscany, another strong female ruler of her time.

Adelaide of Turin: A Powerful Medieval Woman

Her Early Life

Adelaide was born in Turin around 1014 or 1020. Her parents were Ulric Manfred II of Turin and Bertha of Milan. We don't know much about her early years. She had two younger sisters, Immilla and Bertha.

When her father died in 1033 or 1034, Adelaide inherited most of his lands and wealth. This included important areas like Turin, Susa Valley, Auriate, and Asti. Her mother, Bertha, likely helped her rule for a short time when Adelaide was young.

Marriages and Family

At that time, ruling a "march" (a border area) was usually a job for a man, as it involved military duties. So, Emperor Conrad II arranged for Adelaide to marry his stepson, Herman IV, Duke of Swabia, in 1036 or 1037. Herman then became the ruler of Turin alongside her. Sadly, Herman died in 1038 from a sickness while fighting for the Emperor.

To keep control of her vast lands, Adelaide married again. Around 1041, she married Henry, Marquess of Montferrat. But Henry also died a few years later, around 1045.

Adelaide quickly married for a third time in 1046 to Otto of Savoy. This marriage was very important because it brought together her lands with Otto's, creating a much larger and stronger territory.

Adelaide and Otto had five children:

• Peter I of Savoy
• Amadeus II, Count of Savoy
• Otto
• Bertha of Savoy, who later married Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor
• Adelaide of Savoy, Duchess of Swabia, who married Rudolf of Rheinfelden

Ruling Her Lands

After her husband Otto died around 1057-1060, Adelaide ruled the March of Turin and the county of Savoy with her sons, Peter and Amadeus. She was a very active ruler.

Some stories say Adelaide moved the capital from Turin to Susa, but this is not true. Records show she spent much more time at her palace in Turin.

In 1070, the city of Asti rebelled against her. Adelaide showed her strength by capturing and burning the city.

Helping the Emperor

In 1069, Emperor Henry IV tried to divorce Adelaide's daughter, Bertha. This made Adelaide's relationship with the Emperor difficult. However, Bertha helped smooth things over.

When Henry IV traveled to Italy to meet Pope Gregory VII and Matilda of Tuscany at Canossa, he needed to pass through Adelaide's lands. In exchange for her permission, Henry gave Adelaide the region of Bugey. Adelaide and her son Amadeus then went with Henry IV and Bertha to Canossa. There, Adelaide helped mediate between the Emperor and the Pope.

Later, between 1080 and 1082, a bishop named Benzo of Alba wrote letters to Adelaide. He encouraged her to support Henry IV in the wars happening in Italy. Adelaide became even closer to Henry IV after this. She even offered to help him make peace with Matilda of Tuscany and might have joined him in a military campaign in southern Italy in 1084.

Her Support for the Church

Adelaide gave many gifts and lands to monasteries in her region. In 1064, she founded a new monastery called Santa Maria in Pinerolo.

Important church leaders, like Pope Alexander II, Peter Damian, and Pope Gregory VII, wrote letters to Adelaide. These letters show that sometimes Adelaide supported reforms in the Church, and sometimes she didn't. For example, Peter Damian and Gregory VII asked her to help enforce rules for priests and protect monasteries. But Alexander II once criticized her for dealing with a dishonest archbishop in Milan.

Her Death

Adelaide died in December 1091. There's a story that she was buried in a small village church in Canischio. The legend says she had been living there secretly for 22 years before she died. However, historians believe this story is not true.

In the Susa Cathedral, there is a wooden statue of Adelaide kneeling in prayer. An inscription above it praises her, saying Rome itself honored her as the "first honor of Ausonia" (an old name for Italy).

Family and Children

Some old sources mistakenly say Adelaide had children with her first husband, Herman IV, Duke of Swabia. This is incorrect. Herman was often away fighting and died without any children. Adelaide also did not have children with her second husband, Henry.

Adelaide and Otto of Savoy had five children:

• Peter I of Savoy (born around 1048 - died 1078), who married Agnes.
• Amadeus II, Count of Savoy (born around 1050 - died 1080).
• Otto.
• Bertha of Savoy (1051-1087), who married Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor in 1066.
• Adelaide of Savoy, Duchess of Swabia (born around 1052 - died 1079), who married Rudolf von Rheinfelden.

Legacy

An 18th-century painting imagining Adelaide

Adelaide is honored in a famous art piece called The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago. Her name is listed among 999 other important women on the Heritage Floor.

See also

In Spanish: Adelaida de Susa para niños