Otto I (the Great)

views updated May 17 2018

Otto I (the Great) (912–73) King of the Germans (936–73) and Holy Roman Emperor (962–73). Otto succeeded his father, Henry I, in Germany and defeated the rebellious princes and their ally, Louis IV of France. Royal power was further augmented by his close control of the Church. In 955, he crushed the Magyars at Lechfeld. He invaded Italy to aid Queen Adelaide of Lombardy, married Adelaide and became king of Lombardy. In 962, he was crowned as Roman Emperor (the ‘Holy’, meaning ‘Christian’, was added later).