The authority of Adelaide of Italy, grandmother of Otto III, has gradually waned until Otto reaches the age of fourteen in 994.
At an assembly of the Imperial Diet held in Solingen in September 994, Otto is granted the ability to fully govern the kingdom without the need of a regent.
Adelaide is now free to devote herself exclusively to works of charity, notably the foundation or restoration of religious houses.
The young king’s mental gifts are considerable, and have been carefully cultivated by Bernward, afterwards bishop of Hildesheim, and by Gerbert of Aurillac, archbishop of Reims, so that he is called "the wonder of the world."
