Oberto I

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Oberto I (also Otbert) (died 15 Oct 975) was Count palatine of Italy.

After taking the Italian throne after the exile of Hugh of Arles and the death of his son, the new King Berengar II of Italy reorganized of his territories south of the Po. He named Oberto, then Count of Luni, marchese (or marquess) of Obertenga (eastern Liguria) in 951, giving him authority over Tuscia, Genova, Luni, Tortona, Parma, and Piacenza.

In 960 he had to take refuge in Germany. The next year, Pope John XII asked Otto I, the Holy Roman Emperor, to intervene in Italy to protect him from Berengar. When Otto took control of Italy for the Holy Roman Empire, Oberto was able to return to his lands, with the title of Count palatine confirmed by Otto.

He was succeeded as Count of Milan by his sons Adalberto II and later Oberto II. His great-grandson Albert Azzo II, Margrave of Milan founded the house of Este.