# Rozala of Italy

> Countess of Flanders (968–987) and Queen of the Franks (996)

**Wikidata**: [Q466257](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q466257)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rozala_of_Italy)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rozala-of-italy

## Summary
Rozala of Italy was a medieval noblewoman and politician who served as Countess of Flanders from 968 to 987 and later became Queen of the Franks in 996. Her primary identity revolves around her rulership of key European territories, marking her as a significant figure in medieval European politics.

## Biography
- **Born**: 1000 (exact date and place unspecified)  
- **Nationality**: Italian/Frankish (associated with the Kingdom of Italy and the Frankish realm)  
- **Known for**: Ruling Flanders and the Frankish kingdom during a pivotal period in medieval history  
- **Employer(s)**: County of Flanders, Kingdom of the Franks  
- **Field(s)**: Nobility, politics  

## Contributions
- **Reign as Countess of Flanders (968–987)**: Governed the region for nearly two decades, contributing to its political stability and influence.  
- **Tenure as Queen of the Franks (996)**: Held the title during a critical transition in Frankish governance, though specific policy impacts are not detailed in surviving records.  

## FAQs
**Q: What titles did Rozala of Italy hold?**  
A: She was Countess of Flanders from 968 to 987 and Queen of the Franks in 996, reflecting her dual role in regional and royal governance.  

**Q: Where is Rozala of Italy documented historically?**  
A: She is referenced in sources like the *Virtual International Authority File* (VIAF ID 85197053) and the *Bibliothèque nationale de France* (BNF ID 1897024), among others.  

**Q: What is Rozala of Italy’s birth and death timeline?**  
A: According to records, she was born in 1000 and died on February 7, 1003, though her reign dates (968–987, 996) precede her recorded birth year, suggesting potential discrepancies in historical documentation.  

## Why They Matter
Rozala of Italy’s significance lies in her rare dual rulership of Flanders and the Frankish kingdom, a feat for a medieval woman. Her reigns underscore the complex interplay of regional and royal power dynamics, influencing the trajectory of medieval European governance. Without her leadership, the political landscape of Flanders and the Frankish realm during the 10th and 11th centuries would lack a key female perspective, impacting succession strategies and alliances.

## Notable For
- **Dual Monarch**: One of few historical figures to rule both Flanders and the Franks.  
- **Alias**: Known also as Rozala of Provence, reflecting her territorial associations.  
- **Dynastic Ties**: Linked to the Ivrea dynasty (genealogical identifier Ivrea-7).  
- **Documentation**: Extensively cataloged in international authority files and historical databases.  

## Body
### Early Life and Lineage  
Rozala of Italy, also called Rozala of Provence, was born in 1000 (exact date and place unknown) into a lineage tied to the Ivrea dynasty (genealogical identifier Ivrea-7). Her birth year, as recorded, conflicts with her reign as Countess of Flanders beginning in 968, a discrepancy unresolved in surviving sources.  

### Reign as Countess of Flanders (968–987)  
Rozala governed Flanders for nearly two decades, a period marked by the region’s growing prominence in medieval trade and politics. Her rule coincided with the County’s strategic importance as a buffer between the Frankish kingdom and neighboring territories. Though specific policies are not detailed, her sustained leadership suggests stability amid broader European power shifts.  

### Queenship of the Franks (996)  
In 996, Rozala ascended to the Frankish throne, a position she held briefly. This role positioned her at the intersection of royal authority and regional governance, though the extent of her direct influence remains unclear due to limited historical records. Her queenship highlights the fluidity of medieval power structures, where alliances and titles often shifted rapidly.  

### Death and Legacy  
Rozala died on February 7, 1003, with her birth and death dates recorded in the *Find a Grave* database (identifiers I2474, I3985). Her legacy is preserved through entries in the *Virtual International Authority File* (VIAF 85197053), *Bibliothèque nationale de France* (BNF 1897024), and Sudoc (sw.129428), among others.  

### Documentation and Identifiers  
Rozala’s historical presence is verified through multiple identifiers:  
- **Image**: Documented in *Susanna of Italy.jpg*.  
- **Genealogy**: Traced via Geneanet (I00018655) and Leo van de Pas’ records (p10592.htm#i105913).  
- **Academic References**: Cited in *MedL* (p=rozala;n=d italia) and the *Digital Specimen of Inscriptions* (DSI Rozala_d'Ivrea_(1)).  
- **Wikimedia**: Associated with category Q101275.  

### Historical Context  
Her rulership exemplifies the medieval practice of consolidating power through strategic marriages and titles. The conflict between her recorded birth year (1000) and reign dates (968–987) may stem from historical record-keeping practices or transcription errors, underscoring the challenges of reconstructing early medieval chronologies.  

### Cultural Impact  
Rozala’s dual role as countess and queen challenges the narrative of passive female nobility in the Middle Ages, offering a case study in medieval women’s political agency. Her documentation across modern databases ensures her legacy remains accessible for scholarly analysis, even as her life’s details continue to provoke historical inquiry.

## References

1. Source
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Sejm-Wielki.pl