954 First invasion of the Magyars, joined by the rebels. Ludolf and Conrad submit but are deprived of their duchies. Subjection of Bavaria by Henry.
955 Great victory over the Hungarians on the Lechfeld. They do not again invade Germany. Otto conducts a victorious expedition against the Wends. The Bavarian Ostmark (afterwards duchy of Austria) re-established.
961 The pope appeals to Otto for help against Berengar II. Otto goes to Italy and deposes Berengar and Adalbert. Otto’s son Otto II crowned king of Germany.
962 Otto crowned emperor by John XII. Union of the German kingdom and the empire.
THE HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE
THE SAXON EMPERORS (962-1024 A.D.)
Otto discards title of Rex Francorum Orientalium for that of Imperator Augustus. The pope realises that Otto will be a hard master and allies himself with the deposed Adalbert.
963 Otto captures Rome and deposes John XII. Leo VIII is elected in his place.
964 The Romans rebel and replace John. Berengar compelled to surrender in an attempt to recover Italy. Death of John and election of Benedict V. Otto takes Rome a second time and restores Leo VIII. He returns to Germany carrying Benedict with him.
967 Otto avenges the deposition of Leo’s successor, John XIII, by great cruelty to the Romans. Otto summons Otto II to Rome, where John XIII gives him the imperial crown. Two great maxims of the empire are established.