Berengar II of Italy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Berengar II
Berengar bows to King Otto, Manuscriptum Mediolanense, c. 1200
King of Italy
Reign	950–961
Predecessor	Lothair II
Successor	Otto I
Born	c. 900
Died	4 August 966 Bamberg Castle, March of the Nordgau, Kingdom of Germany
Spouse	Willa of Tuscany
Issue	Adalbert of Italy Guy of Ivrea Conrad of Ivrea Rozala of Italy
House	Anscarids
Father	Adalbert I of Ivrea
Mother	Gisela of Friuli

Berengar II (born around 900, died August 4, 966) was an important ruler in Italy. He was the King of Italy from 950 until 961. Berengar came from powerful families, the Anscarid and Unruoching dynasties. He was named after his grandfather, Berengar I, who was also a king.

Before becoming king, Berengar was a Margrave of Ivrea. This was a powerful noble title, like a duke, in a region called Ivrea. He took over this role around 923. For many years, he was a strong leader against the kings Hugh and Lothair II. In 950, he became king himself and made his son, Adalbert, a co-ruler.

Later, in 952, Berengar accepted Otto I of Germany as his overlord. But he soon rebelled against Otto. In 960, he attacked the Papal States, which were lands controlled by the Pope. The next year, Otto conquered Berengar's kingdom. Berengar was captured in 964 and died in prison in Germany two years later.

Early Life and Rise to Power (923–950)

Berengar was the son of Adalbert I of Ivrea, a margrave, and Gisela of Friuli. His mother was the daughter of King Berengar I of Italy. Around 923, Berengar became the Margrave of Ivrea after his father. This is why he is sometimes called Berengar of Ivrea.

He married Willa, whose father was Boso. Willa was also the niece of King Hugh of Italy. A writer named Liutprand of Cremona, who grew up at Berengar's court, wrote many interesting stories about Willa's strong personality.

Around 940, Berengar led a group of Italian nobles in a rebellion. They were unhappy with King Hugh's rule. Hugh's son, Lothair, warned Berengar about an attack. So, Berengar had to escape to the court of King Otto I in Germany.

Otto did not take sides right away. However, in 945, Berengar returned to Italy with soldiers he had hired. The local nobles welcomed him. King Hugh was defeated and left Italy. Lothair then became the official king. But Berengar held all the real power in Italy. Lothair's short reign ended in 950 when he died suddenly.

Becoming King of Italy (950–961)

After Lothair's death, Berengar became King of Italy. He made his son, Adalbert, a co-ruler. They were crowned in Pavia, in the Basilica of San Michele Maggiore. Berengar wanted to make his rule stronger. He tried to force Lothair's widow, Adelaide, to marry his son Adalbert. Adelaide was important because she was related to the last three Italian kings.

However, Adelaide strongly refused the marriage. Berengar then had her imprisoned at Garda Castle. It is said that Berengar's wife, Willa, treated Adelaide badly. But Adelaide managed to escape with help from Count Adalbert Atto of Canossa. She then asked King Otto of Germany for protection.

Otto saw this as a chance to gain power in Italy. He was a widower himself. So, he married Adelaide and invaded Italy in 951. Berengar had to hide at San Marino. Otto was welcomed by the Italian nobles. He took the title of King of the Lombards. Otto then returned to Germany. He left his son-in-law, Conrad, in charge of Pavia.

Challenges and Downfall (961–966)

In 952, Berengar and his son Adalbert went to a meeting in Augsburg, Germany. They promised to be loyal to Otto. They remained kings of Italy, but they were now Otto's vassals. This meant they ruled under Otto's authority. They also had to give up the region of Friuli to Otto. Otto then gave this land to his younger brother, Henry I of Bavaria.

In 953, Otto had to deal with a rebellion by his own son, Liudolf. While Otto was busy, Berengar attacked the lands Otto had taken. He also attacked Count Adalbert Atto's Canossa Castle.

In 960, Berengar invaded the Papal States, which were the lands of Pope John XII. The Pope then asked King Otto for help. Otto wanted to be crowned Holy Roman Emperor. So, he marched into Italy again. Berengar's soldiers left him. By Christmas 961, Otto had taken Pavia and declared Berengar no longer king.

Otto then went to Rome. On February 2, 962, he was crowned emperor. He then went after Berengar again. Berengar was surrounded at San Leo.

Meanwhile, Pope John XII started talking with Berengar's son, Adalbert. This made Otto angry. In 963, Otto went back to Rome. He removed Pope John XII from power and had Pope Leo VIII elected as the new Pope. The next year, Berengar finally surrendered to Otto's forces. He was imprisoned in Bamberg, Germany. Berengar died there in August 966. His wife, Willa, spent the rest of her life in a German nunnery, which is a place where nuns live.

See also

In Spanish: Berengario II de Italia para niños