The subsequent history of the Italians shows how they succeeded in reducing both these powers to the condition of principles, maintaining the pontifical and imperial ideas, but repelling the practical authority of either potentate.

Otho created new marches and gave them to men of German origin.

The houses of Savoy and Montferrat rose into importance in his reign.

To Verona were intrusted the passes between Germany and Italy.

The Princes of Este at Ferrara held the keys of the Po, while the family of Canossa accumulated fiefs that stretched from Mantua across the plain of Lombardy, over the Apennines to Lucca, and southward to Spoleto.