Abstract

Berengar was one of the kinglets bewailed by Regino of Prüm as a ruler spewed forth from the very “bowels” of his region in 888. His material resources were limited, his base of operations confined. To his far south were the dukes of Spoleto, whence came his rival kings of Italy Wido and Lambertus. To the far north, in eastern Francia and the new Kingdom of Provence, other rivals awaited their chances: first Arnulf of Carinthia, then Louis of Provence, eventually Rudolf of Burgundy. Hungarians, driven from their homeland by Byzantine-sponsored Pechenegs, began to launch raiding expeditions into northern Italy at the end of the ninth century. Local magnates, such as the Supponids at Parma, and the Anscarii, Piedmontese marcher lords, shifted their support from one rival to an-other, enriching themselves all the while