The Kingdom of Italy

The Kingdom of Italy, emerging during the High Middle Ages, was a significant political entity in the Italian peninsula that began to unify various city-states and regions under a centralized monarchy. Founded in the late 8th century and consolidated in the 11th century, it was characterized by a growing sense of national identity amidst local loyalties. Influenced by the Church and powerful families, it saw frequent conflicts over power. By the late Middle Ages, the Kingdom's authority began to decline with the rise of independent city-states, which shaped Italy’s political landscape for centuries to come.