Such a noble title – “Holy Roman Empress.” It is only fit for such a noble woman, with such noble ideals. In fact, Adelaide was one of the few rulers of her period that attempted to integrate Christian virtues into her reign. She was extolled by many as a saint who was guided by God. Overall, she was a powerful Christian ruler who ruled wisely through the grace of God and supported Christianity with all of her strength.

Adelaide was the daughter of Rudolf the Second, and was first married to Lothair. Unfortunately, Lothair passed away in 950, when Adelaide was twenty-one. Lothair’s successor, Berengar the Second, was rather unappealing to Adelaide. Almost immediately, she fired off a request to Otto the Second, petitioning for help. He came valiantly to her rescue, marrying her and transforming her into the Holy Roman Empress on February 2nd, 962, at the young age of thirty-one.

This new couple immediately set about changing the face of the Roman Empire. They set out church reform, began to support the arts, and set money aside for the construction of religious houses. While continuing to follow through with all of these policies, Otto fathered five children, one of which was Otto the Third. This Otto would follow in his father’s footsteps 14 years later and become the ruler of the Roman Empire.

When Otto the Second died, Adelaide became the substitute emperor. She ruled for Otto III. As soon as Otto the Third became fourteen, he politely yet firmly requested the crown. Adelaide agreed and ceded power to him, and then she went to live out the rest of her days at a nunnery. This former Holy Roman Empress had an interesting religious view – she believed the Apocalypse would begin in A.D. 1000 “As the thousandth year of our Lord's becoming flesh approaches, I yearn to behold this day, which knows no evening, in the forecourt of our Lord.” (Erdoes)

Sources:
Richard Erdoes. A.D. 1000: Europe on the Brink of the Millennium. Harper & Row, 1988.