Lothair II of Italy

Lothair II of Italy, often referred to as Lothair of Arles, was born between nine hundred twenty-six and nine hundred twenty-eight and ascended to the throne as King of Italy in nine hundred forty-seven. He belonged to the noble Frankish lineage of the Bosonids, tracing his ancestry back to Boso the Elder. His father, Hugh of Provence, was a grandson of Lothair II, King of Lotharingia, while his mother was a German princess named Alda, also known as Hilda.

Despite holding the title of rex Italiae, Lothair's reign was marked by a lack of real power. In nine hundred thirty-one, he was appointed co-regent by his father, but his authority diminished significantly following the noble uprising in nine hundred forty-five, which forced Hugh into exile. The ambitious Berengar of Ivrea seized control, leaving Lothair with nominal power.

In a strategic political move, Lothair married the spirited Adelaide on December twelfth, nine hundred forty-seven. She was the daughter of Rudolph II of Burgundy and Bertha of Swabia, and their union aimed to solidify peace between their feuding families. The couple welcomed a daughter, Emma, in nine hundred forty-eight, who would later marry the Carolingian Lothair of France in nine hundred sixty-six.

Lothair's life came to a tragic end on November twenty-second, nine hundred fifty, in Turin, with suspicions of poisoning by Berengar, who sought to strengthen his grip on Lombardy. Following Lothair's death, Adelaide sought refuge with Otto I of Germany, ultimately marrying him, which further intertwined the fates of these powerful dynasties.

In historical texts, such as the Gesta Ottonis, Lothair's legacy is briefly mentioned, particularly in relation to his wife, highlighting the significance of their union in the broader context of European politics during that era.