Berengar II of Italy

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Berengar II of Italy

Role / Field:

King of Italy (950-961), Berengar II was a powerful figure from the Anscarid dynasty.

Born:

900

Died:

966-07-06

Century / Era:

900s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Foundations

Berengar II (c. 900 – 4 August 966) was the king of Italy from 950 until his deposition in 961. He was a scion of the Anscarid and Unruoching dynasties, and was named after his maternal grandfather, Berengar I. He succeeded his father as margrave of Ivrea around 923 (whence he is often known as Berengar of Ivrea), and after 940 led the aristocratic opposition to kings Hugh and Lothair II.

Key Developments & Impact

In 950 he succeeded the latter and had his son, Adalbert, crowned as his co-ruler. In 952 he recognised the suzerainty of Otto I of Germany, but he later joined a revolt against him. In 960 he invaded the Papal States, and the next year his kingdom was conquered by Otto. Berengar remained at large until his surrender in 964. He died imprisoned in Germany two years later.

Enduring Legacy

Berengar was a son of Margrave Adalbert I of Ivrea and his wife Gisela of Friuli, daughter of the Unruoching king Berengar I of Italy. He succeeded his father as margrave about 923 and married Willa, daughter of the Bosonid margrave Boso of Tuscany and niece of King Hugh of Italy. The chronicler Liutprand of Cremona, raised at Berengar's court at Pavia, gives several particularly vivid accounts of her character...

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 900: Birth of Berengar II of Italy — King of Italy (950-961), Berengar II was a powerful figure from the Anscarid dynasty.
2. 966 (0966-07-06): Passing & Historical Legacy — Berengar II of Italy passed away on 0966-07-06, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Berengar II of Italy

True or False: “Did Berengar II's initial authority stem from his position as Margrave of Ivrea?”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): He succeeded his father as margrave of Ivrea around 923, which was his primary source of regional power before becoming King of Italy.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abu Abdallah al-Shi'i — Contemporary (Born in 900) (900): Influential 10th-century Isma'ili missionary who aided the conquest of Ifriqiya.
• Cynewulf — Contemporary (Born in 900) (900): Pre-eminent Old English poet, known for religious compositions and runic signatures.
• Halfdan Ragnarsson — Contemporary (Born in 900) (900): Viking leader and commander of the Great Heathen Army who invaded Anglo-Saxon England.
• Bjarni Herjólfsson — Contemporary (Born in 966) (966): Icelandic explorer credited with the first European sighting of the mainland Americas in 986.
• Sei Shōnagon — Contemporary (Born in 966) (966): Renowned Heian court lady and author of The Pillow Book.
• 14th Dalai Lama — Shared historical date (07-06 · Born) (1935): Spiritual leader of Tibet and head of Tibetan Buddhism since 1940.
• 50 Cent — Shared historical date (07-06 · Born) (1975): Iconic rapper, actor, and entrepreneur known for raw storytelling and business acumen.
• Adi Shamir — Shared historical date (07-06 · Born) (1952): Pioneering Israeli cryptographer, co-inventor of the RSA algorithm.
• Adrien Duport — Shared historical date (07-06 · Died) (1798): French politician and lawyer, known for his advocacy in the Parlement and opposition to royal ministers.
• Annette Kellerman — Shared historical date (07-06 · Born) (1886): Pioneering Australian swimmer, actress, and advocate for modern swimwear.
• 900 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 900
• 966 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 966
• July 6 (07-06) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on July 6

Frequently Asked Questions about Berengar II of Italy