Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor - Early Years - Birth and Youth

Birth and Youth

Otto II was born in 955, the third son of the King of Germany Otto I and his second wife Adelaide of Italy. By 957, Otto II's older brothers Henry (born 952) and Bruno (born 953) had died, as well as Otto I's son from his first wife Eadgyth, the Crown Prince Liudolf, Duke of Swabia. With his older brothers dead, the two-year old Otto II's became the Kingdom's crown prince and Otto I's heir apparent. Otto I entrusted his son, the Archbishop William of Mainz, with Otto II's lierary and cultural education. Margrave Odo, commander of the Eastern March, taught the young crown prince the art of war and the kingdom's legal customs.

Needing to put his affairs in order prior to his descent into Italy, Otto I summoned the Reichstag at Worms and had Otto II elected, at the age of six, co-regent in May, 961. Otto II was later crowned by his uncle Bruno the Great, Archbishop of Cologne, at Aachen Cathedral on May 26, 961. Otto I's action, though securing his house's hold over the throne, violated the Kingdom's unwritten law that succession rights could only be granted to those child which have reached the age of majority. Otto I's actions in breaking tradition were likely caused by the high-risk associated with his expedition into Italy to claim the Imperial title from the Pope. Otto I crossed the Alps into Italy while Otto II remained in Germany. The two Archbishops Bruno and William were appointed regents for the young Otto II. After three and a half year absence in Italy, Otto I returned to Germany early in 965 as Holy Roman Emperor. In order to give the hope of dynastic continuity after his death, Otto I again confirmed Otto II as his heir on February 2, 965, the third anniversary of Otto I's coronation as Emperor. Later, Otto II was crowned Co-Emperor with his father at Rome by Pope John XIII on December 25, 967. Although the nominal co-ruler of the Empire, he exercised no real authority until the death of his father.