Meanwhile the train of events had drawn him into Italian
politics. The Kingdom of Italy had been seized, in 926, by Hugh of Provence, an
adventurer of Carolingian descent. In 937, on the death of Rudolph II of Burgundy,
Hugh designed to seize this derelict inheritance. He was forestalled by Otto,
who assumed the guardianship of the lawful heir of Burgundy, the young Conrad;
a united kingdom of Italy and Burgundy would have been too dangerous a
neighbour for the German Kingdom. Hugh, however, secured for his son, Lothair,
the hand of Conrad's sister Adelaide, thus keeping alive the claims of his
family for a future day. Somewhat later Otto retaliated by giving protection
to an Italian foe of Hugh, the Margrave Berengar of Friuli, who came to the
Saxon court and became the liegeman of the German King. In 950 this relation
suddenly acquired political importance, through the unexpected deaths of Hugh
and Lothair, and the succession of Berengar in Italy. Reminded of his oath to
Otto, the new King repudiated his obligations as a vassal, and gave further
provocation by ill-treating the widowed Adelaide.
Otto was thus equipped with a
double excuse for making war. And war was forced upon him by the ambitions of
his brother Henry, Duke of Bavaria, and of his son Liutolf, Duke of Suabia.
Both cast covetous glances on Italy, which was hopelessly divided and an easy
prey for the first-comer. In 949 the Duke of Bavaria had seized Aquileia; in
951 the Duke of Suabia crossed the Alps ostensibly to champion Adelaide. Otto
could not remain idle while two of his subjects and kinsmen contended over the
spoils of Italy. He collected an army and followed hard on the footsteps of Liutolf.
Berengar fled, the Dukes made peace with their suzerain, and Otto was free to
dispose of the Italian kingdom (951).
