Adelaide of Italy was an important medieval ruler and holy figure, having been called "the most important woman of her century", "the most powerful of Ottonian women" and one of the most powerful queens of the entire Middle Age. As princess of Burgundy (as daughter of Rudolph II of Burgundy), queen of Italy (consort of Lothair II of Italy) and later Holy Roman empress (consort of Otto the Great), she had deep connections to many European regions. Having supported the Church greatly during her lifetime, she was canonized soon after her death. Historically the subject of numerous religious, artistic and scholarly works, she is now explored by modern historiography primarily as a political figure.