nions, and afterwards divided them with Lewis, king of Germany, without respecting the right of the emperor Lewis, the rightful heir. This latter was at war with the Saracens, in the farthest part of Italy; and, as he could not then approach Lorrain, he had recourse to pope Adrian, who fruitlessly interceded in his behalf.
The war in which he was engaged, detained the emperor till 871, a year that the pride and rapacity of Angelberga, rendered unfortunate to her husband. While a part of his army was engaged at the siege of Tarentum, he was at Benevento, with his court. The troops which he had in the city and its vicinity, were burthensome to their hosts; the empress treated the ladies of Benevento with disdain; and it was suspected she meant to depose Adalgise II. and sell the duchy to some other. This prince concealing his discontent, and seeking to relieve his people from their troublesome auxiliaries, lent a willing ear to the proposals of a Saracen, who, from a prisoner, had become his most intimate friend. He began to be jealous of the power of the French, and espoused the cause of the Greeks with great ardour. Several neighbouring princes secretly entered into his views; and, as soon as the emperor had left Benevento, the general defection began to be visible.
Lewis immediately marched back to that city; but Adalgise found means to persuade him of his fidelity, and turn his arms against the others that had revolted, whom he soon reduced, and returned to Benevento. As this city was much crowded by the troops, Adalgise suggested, that such as came from no great distance might be permitted to return home; and the emperor followed the perfidious counsel, reserving only his own guards. Adalgise then, after some useless resistance, soon made himself master of the person of Lewis, Angelberga, and
