On 21 September 603, Cremona, until then a part of the Byzantine Empire, was captured by the Lombard king, Agilulf and completely destroyed.Cappelletti XII, p. 128, citing Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum. Under the Emperor Otto I (962–973) and his successors, its bishops acquired temporal sovereignty,Sanclemente, pp. 225-226. but the people expelled Bishop Oldericus (973–1004) and adopted a republican form of government.Ughelli IV, pp. 592-597 (quoting the documents). Cappelletti XII, pp. 160-161. On 26 February 1004, Bishop Oldericus obtained from Adelmus (a.k.a. Azo), the royal Missus of King Arduin (1002–1014), the royal ban against anyone who attempted to seize properties belonging to the bishop.Sanclemente, pp. 227-228.
