A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Adelaide, Marchioness of Italy
ADELAIDE,
Marchioness of Italy, was the daughter of Olderic or Odelric Manfredi, Count of Turin and of Susa, and warden of the Italian marshes. Adelaide married in 1035, on the death of her father, Herman, Duke of Suabia, who succeeded by right of his wife, to Olderic's estates and honours, including the Marquisate of Italy. He died in 1038, without issue, and his widow married the Marquis Henry of Alerum, in Montferrat; who died without children. In 1045, Adelaide married a third time—Oddo, who became Lord of Turin, Marquis of Italy, and held other important offices and possessions; he died in 1060, leaving two sons and a daughter, who were the foundation of the powerful House of Savoy. The Marchioness acted as regent during the minority of her sons, and afterwards continued to advise and assist the eldest, Peter, after he had received the investiture of the marquisate, taking part in most of the great political events of that period of Italian history. She died in December 1091, and left a name which shines out brightly as a star from the obscurity of the eleventh century. She appears to have been exceedingly charitable and pious, as well as able to rule and counsel.