Istoria civile del Regno di Napoli, v. 3

Amid the chaos of 10th‑century Italy, a fractured realm teeters under the despotic rule of Berengar and his son Adelberto. The narrative follows the desperate appeal of the Italian nobles to Otto, the powerful king of Germany, whose victories over the Saxons and Slavs have earned him a legendary reputation. When the widowed Adelaide of Pavia, imprisoned by Berengar, escapes and seeks Otto’s aid, the stage is set for a dramatic clash of ambition and loyalty.

Otto’s swift response brings a formidable army across the Alps, freeing Adelaide and confronting the tyrants who have long oppressed the peninsula. The story captures the tension of shifting alliances, the fervent hope of the Italian cities, and the burgeoning claim of Otto to the Italian crown. As the forces converge on key strongholds, the reader witnesses the early moves that will reshape the political landscape of medieval Europe.

The account culminates in a momentous coronation in Pavia, where Otto is proclaimed king of Italy amid jubilant crowds and solemn religious rites. This pivotal ceremony underscores the intertwining of secular power and papal endorsement, hinting at the broader imperial aspirations that loom on the horizon.