Editing Theophanu (section)

==Empress==
Otto II succeeded his father on 8 May 973. Theophanu accompanied her husband on all his journeys, and she is mentioned in approximately one quarter of the emperor's formal documents – evidence of her privileged position, influence and interest in affairs of the empire. It is known that she was frequently at odds with her mother-in-law, [[Adelaide of Italy]]. The young couple and Adelaide collided with each other in several matters, including Adelaide's early association with [[Henry the Quarrelsome]].<ref name=MeinWeg/><ref>{{cite web |last1=University |first1=Center for Teaching and Learning at Columbia |title=Theophanu, empress |url=https://epistolae.ctl.columbia.edu/woman/26.html |website=Epistolae |access-date=15 August 2022 |language=en}}</ref> According to Abbot [[Odilo of Cluny]], Adelaide was very happy when "that Greek woman" died.<ref name="Davids (2002) 53">Davids (2002), p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=Db9Z_BagLw8C&pg=PA53 53].</ref>

Nevertheless, the imperial couple were able to secure the trust of their allies at the 973 Reichstag in Worms, after which they traveled the country together, searching for new alliances and strengthening old ties. The young Theophanu showed diplomatic skills and displayed herself as an active partner in political negotiations.<ref name=MeinWeg/>

The [[Order of Saint Benedict|Benedictine]] chronicler [[Alpert of Metz]] describes Theophanu as being an unpleasant and chattery woman.<ref name="Davids (2002) 53"/> Theophanu was also criticized for having introduced new luxurious garments and jewelry into France and Germany.<ref>Davids (2002), p. 54.</ref>  The theologian [[Peter Damian]] even asserts that Theophanu had a love affair with John Philagathos, a Greek monk who briefly reigned as [[Antipope John XVI]].<ref>Davids (2002), p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=Db9Z_BagLw8C&pg=PA56 56].</ref>

Otto II died suddenly on 7 December 983 at the age of 28, probably from [[malaria]].<ref name="Davids (2002) 18, 36">Davids (2002), pp. [https://books.google.com/books?id=Db9Z_BagLw8C&pg=PA18 18], [https://books.google.com/books?id=Db9Z_BagLw8C&pg=PA36 36].</ref> His three-year-old son, [[Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto III]], had already been appointed [[King of the Romans]] during a diet held on [[Pentecost]] of that year at [[Verona]]. At Christmas, Theophanu had him crowned by the [[Electorate of Mainz|Mainz]] archbishop [[Willigis]] at [[Aachen Cathedral]], with herself ruling as Empress Regent on his behalf. Upon the death of Emperor Otto II, Bishop [[Folcmar (bishop)|Folcmar of Utrecht]] released his cousin, the [[Duchy of Bavaria|Bavarian]] duke [[Henry II, Duke of Bavaria|Henry the Quarrelsome]] from custody.<ref name="Davids (2002) 18, 36"/> Duke Henry allied with Archbishop [[Warin of Cologne]] and seized his nephew Otto III in spring 984, while Theophanu was still in [[Kingdom of Italy (medieval)|Italy]] in the royal palace of [[Pavia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.monasteriimperialipavia.it/pavia-citta-regia/?lang=en|title=Pavia Royal town|work=Monasteri Imperiali Pavia|access-date=29 July 2022}}</ref> Nevertheless he was forced to surrender the child to his mother, who was backed by Archbishop Willigis of Mainz and Bishop Hildebald of [[Bishopric of Worms|Worms]].