Albert Azzo I, Margrave of Milan

Who was Albert Azzo I, Margrave of Milan?

Albert Atto I was the son of Oberto II and Railend, widow of Sigfred, Count of Seprio. He was a member of the Obertenghi family.

Albert first appears in the historical record in 1011. On 10 May 1013, he was acting as a missus in Italy. In 1014, he inherited the counties of Luni, Tortona, Genoa, and Milan on his father's death. His holdings were extensive and both feudal and allodial. Albert and his brothers Hugh, Adalbert, and Obizzo all carried the title margrave. Their sister Bertha married Arduin of Italy to ally the Anscarid and Obertenga families. Another sister named Bertha married Ulric Manfred II of Turin. Albert himself married Adelaide, a Salian and relative of Lanfranc, Count of Aucia.

At first, Albert and his brothers supported their brother-in-law Arduin against the Emperor Henry II in the war for the Italian throne. In 1014, he did not oppose Henry's imperial coronation, but after Henry left in May, he sought to aid Arduin. After July, he confiscated Solingen, robbed the church, and assaulted Pavia, Vercelli, and Novara.