Lambert of Italy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lambert of Italy
Emperor of the Romans
Lambert (second from left) depicted as one of the kings who had favoured and protected the abbey of San Clemente a Casauria. From the Chronicon Casauriense, 12th-century manuscript
Emperor in Italy King of Italy
Reign	891–898
Coronation	30 April 892, Ravenna
Predecessor	Guy III of Spoleto
Successor	Arnulf of Carinthia
Died	898 Spinetta Marengo, Italy
Burial	Piacenza
House	Guideschi
Father	Guy III of Spoleto
Mother	Ageltrude

Lambert (born around 880 – died October 15, 898) was an important ruler in Italy. He became the King of Italy in 891. He was also a Holy Roman Emperor, sharing this title with his father starting in 892. When his father died in 894, Lambert also became the Duke of Spoleto and Camerino. His parents were Guy III of Spoleto and Ageltrude. Lambert was the last ruler to issue special laws called capitularies in the old Carolingian style.

Lambert's Fight for Power

Lambert was crowned king in May 891 in Pavia, Italy. He became joint emperor with his father on April 30, 892, in Ravenna. Pope Formosus crowned them, but he wasn't happy about it. Lambert and his father made a deal with the Pope. They promised to protect the lands given to the Pope by earlier rulers.

Dealing with Arnulf of Carinthia

In 893, Pope Formosus asked Arnulf of Carinthia to come to Italy. The Pope wanted Arnulf to free Italy and be crowned emperor in Rome. Arnulf sent his son, Zwentibold, with an army. They joined forces with Berengar of Friuli and defeated Lambert's father, Guy. However, Guy used bribes, and a fever spread through Arnulf's army, so they left.

Arnulf then led his own army into Italy in 894. He took control of all the land north of the Po River. But Guy died suddenly that autumn. Lambert then became the only king and emperor. He also took over his father's title as Duke of Spoleto. Lambert was still young, so his mother, Ageltrude, helped him rule. She strongly disliked the Germans.

Challenges from Berengar and the Pope

While Berengar took control of Pavia, Lambert and his mother went to Rome. They wanted the Pope to confirm Lambert's title as emperor. But Pope Formosus wanted to crown Arnulf instead. The Pope was even held prisoner in the Castel Sant'Angelo by Lambert's mother.

Lambert spent much of his rule trying to stop Arnulf and Berengar from taking over Italy. At first, Adalbert II of Tuscany supported Lambert. By January 895, Lambert was able to live in the royal capital, Pavia. In the same year, Lambert's cousin, Guy IV, took over the Principality of Benevento from the Byzantines.

Even though some people supported Lambert, the Pope became worried about the growing power of Lambert's family. In September, the Pope again asked Arnulf for help. In October, Arnulf launched his second attack on Italy. He quickly took Pavia. Lambert refused to fight him directly. Arnulf gained support from nobles in Tuscany, even Adalbert.

Arnulf Takes Rome

Rome was locked against Arnulf, held by Lambert's mother. So, Arnulf took the city by force on February 21, 896. He freed the Pope. Arnulf was then crowned King and Emperor by Pope Formosus. The Pope said Lambert was no longer emperor. Arnulf marched towards Spoleto, where Ageltrude had fled to Lambert. But Arnulf suffered a stroke and had to stop his campaign. Later that year, Pope Formosus died, and Lambert was back in power.

Lambert's Rule and Reforms

After Arnulf went back to Germany, Lambert and his supporters were in charge of Italy. Lambert took back Pavia and punished those who had joined Arnulf. In late 896, he met Berengar outside Pavia. They made a deal to divide the kingdom. Berengar kept the land between the Adda and the Po rivers, and Lambert kept the rest. They shared the city of Bergamo. This agreement was similar to how things were in 889. Lambert also promised to marry Berengar's daughter, Gisela.

Strengthening His Power

In early 897, Lambert went to Rome with his mother and cousin Guy. He wanted his title as emperor to be confirmed again. Many bishops met and agreed to the earlier pact from 891. They said Arnulf's coronation was not valid and Lambert's imperial title was valid. They also confirmed the election of a new Pope, John IX. Most importantly for Lambert, they agreed that an emperor's presence was needed for papal elections.

From then on, Lambert ruled with the church's support. He continued his father's goal of renovatio regni Francorum, which means "renewal of the Frankish kingdom." He was able to issue new laws, just like earlier Frankish rulers. He was the last ruler to do so. In 898, he made laws to stop people from unfairly using the services owed by free farmers to create benefits for their followers. A law book called the Lex Romana Utinensis was also created at his court. His rule was recognized in Benevento after Prince Radelchis II was restored to power in 897.

Lambert's Final Battle and Death

Lambert still had to deal with Berengar of Friuli and the rebellious Adalbert of Tuscany. In 898, Adalbert marched towards Pavia. Lambert, who was hunting near Marengo (south of Milan), heard about this. Lambert surprised and defeated Adalbert at Borgo San Donnino, taking him prisoner.

However, on his way back to Marengo, Lambert died. It is unclear if he was killed by someone (like Hugh, son of Maginulf) or if he fell from his horse. He was buried in Piacenza. A writer from that time, Liutprand, described him as an "elegant youth and a stern man."

His epitaph, a special message carved on his tomb, says:

After Lambert's death, his cousin Guy IV took over in Spoleto. But the kingdom of Italy and the Holy Roman Empire fell into confusion. Many people tried to claim the throne. Within days, Berengar had taken Pavia.

See also

In Spanish: Lamberto II de Spoleto para niños