Louis II of Italy (835-12 August 875) was the King of Italy from 844 to 875 and the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire from 850 to 875, succeeding Lothaire of Italy and preceding Charles II of West Francia in both titles.
Biography[]
Louis was the eldest son of Lothaire of Italy and Ermengarde of Tours, and was the brother of Lothaire II of Lotharingia, Charles II of West Francia, and Charles of Provence. In 844 his father granted him the title of king of Italy, and in 850 he became Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. On 15 June 844 he was crowned as King of Italy by Pope Sergius II, and in 850 he was made the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. In 855 he was made sole Emperor of Italy after his father, his co-ruler, died. The division of his father's dominions left Louis with no territory outside of Italy, and he was discontented. He allied himself with Louis the German against his brothers Lothaire II of Lotharingia and Charles II of West Francia, but when he secured Pope Nicholas I's election in 858, he reconciled with his brother Lothaire and received lands in Provence due to his support of his brother during his divorce from Teutberga.
As Italy fell into chaos, Louis fought against its turbulent princes and the Saracens that ravaged southern Italy. In 866 he routed the Saracens but could not follow these successes due to the lack of a fleet. In 869 he allied with Basil I of Byzantium to get a fleet, and he conquered the Emirate of Bari in 871. Louis declared himself Emperor of the Romans, but when he entered Benevento to prepare a new campaign, he was betrayed by Adelchis of Benevento and captured. The landing of fresh Saracens forced Adelchis to release Louis, but on the terms that he would not avenge his capture or ever lead an army into Benevento. On 18 May 872 he was crowned Emperor of the Romans again by Pope Adrian II. He was released from his oath and drove the Saracens from Capua and attempted to punish Adelchis, but his attempts failed. He died in Ghedi in the Province of Brescia on 12 August 875 and his cousin Carloman of Bavaria succeeded him.