Berengar I, King of Italy

BERENGAR I, King of Italy.** - Upon the deposition of Charles the Fat, Berengar, marquis of Friuli, claimed rights to the succession, being born of Marquis Eberhard and of Gisela, daughter of Louis the Pious. He was crowned king of Italy in Pavia in January-February 888 by the archbishop of Milan. Guy, marquis of Spoleto, however, contested the throne with him, and between the two rivals a harsh and indecisive war was waged. Berengar was expelled from Pavia, but continued to be recognized as king in north-eastern Italy. He then stirred up the king of Germany, Arnulf, against his rival. The latter sought to seize the kingdom of Italy and made two expeditions into the peninsula: after his death, Berengar moved to reconquer the throne. Now, however, he had to fight with Guy's son and successor, Lambert: soon, however, the two came to an agreement and divided the kingdom, recognizing the Adda as the boundary. With Lambert dead (898), Berengar finally remained sole master of the kingdom. But shortly thereafter he had to face the invasion of the Magyars (899): the weakness he showed in repelling the enemies earned him the discontent of certain counts, who appealed to Louis of Provence. The latter came to Italy twice and in 901 was king in Pavia and emperor in Rome. Berengar defeated him both times and blinded him (903). Believing himself by then the secure master of Italy, he turned his attention to reorganizing the country, availing himself of the authority of the bishops, whom he called upon to build defenses against the continuous threat of the Magyars. In December 915 he was crowned emperor in Rome. In 921 the tranquility of Italy was broken by the insurrection of a group of feudal lords who set up against Berengar the king of Burgundy, Rudolph II. In 923 Berengar was defeated at Fiorenzuola and withdrew to Verona, where he was killed in church by one of his vassals named Flambert, on 7 April 924.