Louis the Blind
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Louis the Blind (c. 880-928) was King of Provence and briefly Holy Roman Emperor.
He was the son of Boso of Provence and Irmingard, a daughter of Emperor Louis II. He succeeded his father upon his death in 887 as ruler of Provence. In 900 he was invited into Italy by Adelbert II of Tuscany who desired to block Berengar from gaining control of the Italian peninsula. Louis thus marched his army across the Alps and defeated Berengar. In 901 he was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Benedict IV. The next year, however, Berengar defeated Louis' armies and forced him to flee and to promise never to return. In 905, Louis launched another attempt to invade Italy. He was again defeated and captured by Berengar, who ordered him blinded for breaking his oath. He also lost his title and Berengar became Holy Roman Emperor.
Louis continued to rule Provence for many more years, but his rule was the last attempt to restore Carolingian power over Italy.
Preceded by: Boso | King of Lower Burgundy 890–928 | Succeeded by: Hugh |
Preceded by: Berengar | King of Italy 900–905 | Succeeded by: Berengar |
Preceded by: – | Holy Roman Emperor 901–? | Succeeded by: Berengarfr:Louis III l'Aveugle |