European Kingdoms

Langobards (Lombards)

The Germanic Langobards (or Langobardi) originated in and above northern Silesia (now western Poland) as part of the Suevi confederation of tribes. It is possible that they, like the Goths, had earlier origins in southern Scandinavia and were forced to migrate due to population expansion. They were also known by their original ethnic name, the Winnili ('Winn' probably being Germanic for 'striving' and 'being victorious', added to an 'il/el' diminutive suffix and a Latin plural, '-il', producing something along the lines of 'the little tribe that succeeds in fighting' or 'the little winners'). The later name of that part of the tribe that apparently migrated out of Scandinavia was the Langobards, or 'hound clan'. Their founder is sometimes named as Sceafa Longbeardum, the Sceaf of Angeln who perhaps is confused with an early Langobard ruler of the same name, or hints at an early connection between the two tribes during (or before) their sojourn on the southern Baltic coastline in the first and second centuries AD.

The Langobards played little part in the downfall of the Roman empire. Separated from the main Suebian host, they migrated south in the sixth century, filling the gap left on the north bank of the Danube in Hungary by the collapse of the Huns. After being used as a mercenary army by the Byzantine empire, the Lombards began to invade northern Italy.

Few Langobard leaders are known before the tribe entered into northern Italy, but Paul the Deacon's Historia Langobardorum, which was taken in part from the Origo Gentis Langobardorum, around the middle of the seventh century, does paint a creditable story of their origins in northern central Europe. As a member of a long-established Lombard family in Italy, he was well placed to be able to access tribal folk tales, but his claim that the name 'Langobard' pertains to the length of the beards worn by the men is fanciful. A modern theory which contradicts the reasoning that the name means 'hound clan' suggests that it instead stems from one of the names of Odin, and was taken when the tribe made a conscious switch to the worship of that god.

(Additional information by Edward Dawson.)

1st century BC?

Paul the Deacon attests that, due to population pressure in southern Scandinavia, a small tribe named the Winnili divide their number into three parts and chose by lot which part will leave (a practice that is typical in German folk tales). Two leaders, Ibo and Alo, are appointed to command the unlucky part and they lead it to the southern shores of the Baltic Sea in the region between the Elbe and the Oder, where they resettle. Their landing place is Scoringa, which, by common agreement, is thought to mean 'shoreline'.

Prosper of Aquitaine names the leaders as Iborea and Agio, while Saxo-Grammaticus calls them Ebbo and Aggo, and the popular song of Gothland names them as Ebbe and Aaghe. The event, if it happens at all, is undatable, but could be placed after the large-scale incursion of the sea into Jutland between 120-114 BC, which triggered population movements in Scandinavia.

Ibo

Joint leader during the exodus from Scandinavia.

Aio

Brother and co-leader.

Scoringa is part of the territory of the Vandali. Their chieftains, Ambri and Assi, demand tribute, with the threat of war against this small upstart tribe if it is not paid. The Winnili refuse to be cowed and chose war, Legend has it that the Winnili women join the battle line, with their long hair tied forwards in front of their faces to resemble long beards.

A Langobard brooch featuring the late sixth century King Agilulf

8 - 6 BC

Migrations of Marcomanni from the region of northern Bavaria and the River Main lead them to the homeland of the Boii in Bohemia. The Marcomanni king, Maroboduus, forms a confederation of tribes which includes Langobards, Lugii, Marcomanni, and Senones, along with the Boii themselves. Possibly this also incorporates remnants of the alliances of Ariovistus of the Suevi in 58 BC. Thanks to this event it would seem that the Langobards, if they really had originated in Scandinavia, had migrated into central Europe before even the Goths.

AD 5 - 6

Roman Emperor Tiberius undertakes campaigns against various German tribes in an effort to extend the frontiers of the empire from the Rhine to the Elbe. At this time the Langobards dwell between the Weser and the lower Elbe. They are described by court historian Velleius Paterculus as 'more fierce than ordinary German savagery,' when they take part in attacks led by the Marcomanni. Their power is broken by the legions of Tiberius.

17 - 19

War breaks out between Arminius of the Cherusci and Maroboduus of the Marcomanni. The cause is Maroboduus' decision not to join the Cherusci-Roman war of AD 9 in common cause with his fellow Germans. Now the Cherusci join with some of Maroboduus' own Suevi subjects, the Langobards and the Semnones, to stage a revolt against his power. Following an indecisive battle, Maroboduus withdraws into territory that later forms Bohemia.

20

Strabo places the Langobards near the mouth of the Elbe. They are in frequent and close relations with the Hermunduri and Semnones, two great Suevic tribes who dwell higher up the stream. Strabo seems to suggest that in his time the Hermunduri and Langobards had been driven from the left to the right bank of the Elbe.

47

After the nobility of the Cherusci has been destroyed by internal conflict, a Roman-educated prince is appointed as their king. However, he soon falls out of favour with his people and they attempt to expel him. The Langobards, previously a minor tribe under the dominance of the once-mighty Cherusci and Marcomanni, now appear on the scene with enough authority and strength to impose the restoration of the deposed king.

98

In his work on Greater Germania, the Roman writer Tacitus locates the Langobards in western central Europe, on the right bank of the Elbe (supporting Strabo's view). Accounted as being part of the Suevi confederation, they occupy territory immediately south of the Saxons (with the Angles to the north-east), and with the Frisians on their western flank. The neighbouring Cherusci are located further south. Their numbers are few in relation to their bigger neighbours but they maintain their independence with an attitude of warfare over submission.

c.150

Ptolemy, who writes in the mid-second century, places the Langobards back on the left bank of the Elbe, between the Chauci and the Suevi. He also has a group of them, the Suebic Langobards, occupying territory to the north of the Sicambri in the Rhineland. This seems to suggest either that they have expanded or that a smaller splinter group has migrated westwards.

c.160

According to Cassius Dio, just before the Marcomannic Wars that begin in 166, a host of 6,000 Langobards and Ubii cross the Danube and invade Pannonia. The two tribes are defeated by Rome and halt their attacks. They send Ballomar, king of the Marcomanni, as their ambassador to Aelius Bassus, the governor of Pannonia. The two agree peace terms and the Langobards and Ubii are allowed to cross back across the Danube. The Langobards return to their territory on the lower Elbe.

c.166 - c.300

The Langobards disappear from the historical record. One theory to explain the reason involves their occupation of territory that is so deep into the interior of Inner Germania that they are obscured by the growing tribal confederations that lie closer to the Roman empire. Another is their possible subjugation by one of those newly forming tribal confederations, that of the Saxons. The latter idea is supported by an entry in the Codex Gothanus which states that the Langobards are subjugated by the Saxons around 300.

c.300 - c.375

According to the Codex Gothanus, the Langobards rise up against the Saxons under their own king, Agelmund. The reason may be the poor harvests that they suffer in the late fourth century. The Langobards begin to migrate southwards, but Ludo Moritz Hartmann suggests that they probably leave behind a sizable portion of their number, with these people being fully subsumed within the Saxon confederation and losing their name.

fl c.375 - c.415?

Agelmund

King of the Langobards. Reigned 40 years. Killed in an ambush.

390s

The Langobards descend southwards from the Elbe and enter into Moravia.

The High Tatra Mountains in Moravia (modern Slovakia) highlights just some of the very varied landscape in the region that would have been presented to the Langobards

406 - 409

The bulk of the Suevi cross the Rhine at Mainz in 406 in association with the Vandali and Alans. After spending two years ravaging Gaul and migrating southwards into Aquitaine, all three tribes are pushed out by the Visigoths and cross the Pyrenees to settle in Roman Spain by 409, disrupting the Gallic empire of Constantine III. Some Suevi groups, including the Alemanni, remain behind on the Rhine, with some of them becoming part of the Frankish confederation.

c.415?

Continuing to wander, the Langobards enter 'Vurgundaib', which is believed to be the original lands of the Burgundians. Once there, the Langobards are attacked in their encampment by 'Bulgars', probably the Huns. They are defeated, their king is killed, and they are subjugated. However, it seems that they quickly rise up under Lamicho and inflict an unusual defeat on the Huns, although how long it takes for this to happen after their subjugation is unclear (perhaps it is not until c.440/450).

fl c.410s

Lamicho / Lamissio / Laiamicho

Foster son. See note for c.440/450.

fl c.420 - c.460

Lethu / Lethuc

Vassal of the Huns? Ruled for approximately 40 years.

c.425

The Langobards are to be found in Slovakia, bordering Illyria, probably having moved there as soon as they had freed themselves from the Huns. The reign of Lethu heralds the emergence of the Langobard kings into documented history by the end of the century. He is the founder of the Lething dynasty of kings which provides rulers for the tribe for over a century.

c.440/450

The Germanic Hundings or Hundingas (the 'hound clan') are known for their feud with the Wulfings, a clan associated with the early Danish kings. The feud is most likely to be a conflict between the Eastern Geats and the Langobards (the hound-clan), and some scholars have suggested that Hund may be the same person as Lamicho (although the dating does not align at all). Instead, there may be a confusion between a well-known southern Scandinavian feud and a different one here which involves the Langobards and their enemies, the Vulgares (Huns). The latter are defeated about this year.

Coincidentally, perhaps, Lamicho's name also identifies itself with the 'hound clan', perhaps meaning 'little barker', and the Langobards become infamous for terrorising their enemies by claiming to have dog-headed warriors.

c.440s?

Paul the Deacon's Historia Langobardorum preserves some of the history of the Langobards before their entrance into Italy. Around this time they begin to settle north of the Danube, where they successfully defend their independence against the Huns (when the latter are at the height of their power).

454

The fall of the Huns allows the Heruli to rise up and free themselves. They set up a strong Roman foederati kingdom of their own in southern Moravia, from where they subdue all their neighbours, including the Langobards, turning them into vassals.

fl c.470s

Hildeoc / Hildehoc / Aldihoc

Vassal of the Heruli.

fl c.480s

Gudeoc / Godehoc

Vassal of the Heruli.

487 - 488

Gudeoc rules the Langobards at the time when Romano-German general and emperor, Odoacer, destroys the Germanic Rugii, who had formerly been subjugated by the Huns. The Langobards migrate into the former Rugii territory, in modern Lower Austria, north of the Danube, and west of Korneuburg, to fill this vacuum. The area is part of the westernmost areas of Pannonia. The move may also be a way of removing themselves from Heruli dominance, and comes at an ideal time, as the Ostrogoths are themselves migrating into Italy for create a kingdom of their own. The Langobards clearly take note of this last event.

fl c.500

Claffo

Vassal of the Heruli.

fl c.500? - c.510

Tato

Son. First king to be independently attested. Murdered.

508

The Heruli kingdom in southern Moravia is destroyed by Tato, ending the problem of the inconvenient Heruli overlordship of the Langobards. Herulian fortunes wane after this disaster. Some remaining Heruls join the Langobards in Lower Austria. Tato himself is soon murdered by Wacho, son of Unichus. Ildichus fights on his father's side and is forced to flee to the Gepids, where he dies.

c.510

Ildichus

Son. Died in exile, unable to claim the kingship.

fl c.510 - c.540

Wacho / Waccho (Waldchis?)

Son of Unichus.

530s

After one generation, the minor federate Heruli kingdom in Singidunum (modern Belgrade) disappears from the historical record. These 'South Heruli' merge into surrounding populations or unite with the Langobards.

c.540

The restless Langobards apparently enter further into Pannonia, to their immediate east, and perhaps also into Dacia to the east of that.

An artist's impression of mixed Langobard infantry and cavalry in action

c.540 - 546

Waltari / Walthari

Infant son. Last of the Lething clan of kings.

c.540 - 546

Audoin

Regent.

546

Procopius says the young Waltari dies of disease, but it is equally possible that Audoin kills him before he reaches maturity and dispenses with the services of a regent.

546 - c.565

Audoin / Alduin

First of the Gausian kings.

550s - 560s

Under Audoin, the Langobards cross the Danube to re-enter Pannonia. Once there, they are granted subsidies by the Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I, who encourages them to fight the Gepids who have established a large kingdom in Dacia. In effect, they are being hired as foederati, mercenaries, a role they fulfil to perfection. The Gepid kingdom is destroyed by 567. Alboin forcibly marries Rosamund, the daughter of the Gepid king.

c.565 - 568

Alboin

Son. Led the Langobards into Italy to form a kingdom.

568

The death of Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I in 565 ends a period of strong rule in Italy. The advent of the Avars in south-eastern Europe triggers a wave of migration that sees the remnants of the Gepids join the Langobards and both peoples, along with various flotsam and jetsam, enter northern Italy. It also permanently ends Germanic dominance in Pannonia. Following the Langobard migration southwards, a new confederation, the Bavarii, forms in their place north of the Danube, in modern south-eastern Germany.

North Italian Kingdom of the Lombards
AD 568 - 773

A Germanic people, the Langobards were first noted in northern Silesia (now western Poland) as part of the Suevi confederation of tribes. They were used as a mercenary army by the Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian but, ejected from Pannonia by the Avars, they invaded northern Italy after the emperor's death, diminishing the influence of the Byzantine exarchate at Ravenna, and surrounding the 'island' dominion of Venice. They quickly became known as the Lombards, and this shortening of their name replaced any older usage.

The Lombards began to attack the established order in Italy from 568, filling a void left by the destruction of the Ostrogoth kingdom, despite the best efforts of the Byzantine emperors to retain complete control of Italy themselves. These attacks badly affected Rome, cutting it off from the Byzantine empire, creating famine and causing records to be destroyed. Unlike the Ostrogoths, the Lombards did not seek to preserve the ancient Roman methods of governance. Their kingdom in the north, and the independent Lombard duchies to the south, introduced a distinctly Germanic flavour to the peninsular which eventually made it little different to much of the rest of Western Europe.

568 - 573

Alboin

Tribal leader who founded the kingdom. Murdered.

569

The first Roman city to fall is that of Forum Iulii (now Cividale de Friuli), with small Eastern Roman defensive forces from Ravenna unable to offer any viable opposition (and perhaps not even bothering to try). Alboin creates the first Lombard duchy here, the duchy of Friuli, which he hands over to his nephew, Gisulf. The duchy will also form the kingdom's northern defensive line against possible incursions from outside Italy, especially by the Avars. In the same year, Vicenza, Verona and Brescia also fall to Alboin, followed by a great prize in the capture of Milan.

570 - 571

Despite the arrival at Ravenna of a new exarch, the Lombards continue in their successful conquest of Italy. Territorial gains to the south of the exarchate of Ravenna are formalised in the shape of the duchies of Benevento and Spoleto, although these quickly become independent of the Lombard kingdom itself. Rome is temporarily isolated during this period and records destroyed, leaving little information about the pontificate of John III.

572

After a siege lasting three years, the city of Pavia falls to the Lombards. They make it the first capital of their new kingdom. Although Ravenna manages to retain control of the region around this imperial city, and also re-secures Rome through a narrow corridor of territory running through Perugia, the Lombards still have free access to southern Italy and their conquests there.

The new kingdom is divided into thirty-six duchies, each based around a Roman city, most of which owe direct allegiance to the king. However, this form of rule makes the kingdom structurally weaker, even more so than Byzantine Italy once the exarchate begins to recover, and becomes a serious problem in the eighth century. The duchies include those of Asti, Bergamo, Brescia, Ceneda, Friuli, Pavia, San Giulio, Tridentum (Trent), Turin, Tuscia, Verona, and Vicenza, plus the independent Benevento and Spoleto in the south. Other regions such as Lugano in the very north are also brought under Lombard control.

A dramatic depiction of the murder of Alboin, by Charles Landseer in 1859

573

Bizarrely, after all the warfare of his reign, Alboin is murdered in Verona as part of a plot by his wife, Rosamund. This is possibly an act of revenge by Rosamund, whose father Kunimund had been the last ruler of the Gepid kingdom prior to its destruction by the Langobards, after which she had been forced to marry Alboin.

Now Rosamund marries her chief accomplice, the king's foster brother and bearer of arms, Helmichis, and the two attempt to rule the kingdom. They are quickly dissuaded by the hostility of most of the Lombard warrior class, who proclaim Duke Celph the new king. Rather than go to war, the pair flee to Ravenna with their troops, the royal treasure, and Alboin's daughter, Albsuinda. The plot almost certainly has backing from Ravenna as it removes a powerful figure of opposition and raises the possibility of the Eastern Roman reconquest of Italy.

573

Helmichis / Helmegis

Regicide and co-conspirator (and husband) of Rosamund.

573

Rosamund

Widow of Alboin and co-conspirator. Never actually ruled.

573 - 575

Celph / Clef

Lombard duke, proclaimed king. Assassinated.

575 - 584

Celph enjoys a ruthless reign of just eighteen months before he, too, is assassinated. The act is probably carried out by a slave, and is probably due to plotting by Ravenna, as a disunited Lombard kingdom suits their hopes of reconquest perfectly.

No successor to Celph is proclaimed. Instead, the 'rule of the dukes' is instigated, in which each duke rules his own portion of northern Italy and there is no overall ruler. There is also little unity, and the period lasts either ten or twelve years (574-585), witnessing a general breakdown of law and order across the country.

584/585

The Lombards invade the Merovingian Frankish region of Provence. In return the Frankish king of Austrasia, Childebert II, and Guntramn, king of Burgundy, invade Lombard Italy, or Lombardy, as it is starting to be known. They capture Trent and open negotiations with the Eastern Roman emperor via Ravenna, perhaps with the view of carving up Italy between them. The Lombards, fearing Frankish domination, elect a king to end their disunity. He is ceded Pavia and half the ducal domains, and is successful in throwing out the invaders and restoring the strength of the kingdom. This reconsolidation confirms the partitioning of the peninsula which will remain effective in one form or another until the final unification of Italy in 1871.

584 - 590

Autharis

Son.

589 - 590

Having lived an almost fully independent existence in the south since his arrival, Zottone submits to the authority of King Autharis in the north, although the kingdom has rarely exerted any influence as far south as Zottone's territory. In, or by, 590, the duchy of Benevento is formally established under Zottone.

590 - 591

Theodelinda

Wife. m Agilulf and became his queen. Also regent (615-625).

590 - 591

Upon the death of Autharis, his queen, Theodelinda, rules briefly before marrying her husband's cousin in 591 and becoming his queen. She is the daughter of Duke Garibald I of Bavaria and is a Nicene Christian, an adherent of the Roman Church. She also is a very important figure in terms of increasing the importance and reach of the Catholic church in Italy over Arian Christianity. Thanks in large part to her efforts in winning converts the church at Rome is able to secure its primacy in Italy and can begin to focus its attention on making fresh converts elsewhere.

591 - 615

Agilulf

Cousin of Autharis. Duke of Turin.

601 - 603

Agilulf fights a successful series of campaigns against rebel dukes in northern Italy, capturing Padua in 601, and Cremona and Mantua in 603. He is also successful in forcing the exarch of Ravenna to pay a sizable tribute.

615 - 625

Adaloald

Son. Went insane and was deposed by the nobles.

615 - 625

Theodelinda

Mother and regent, and widow of Autharis and Agilulf.

625 - 636

Arioald

Son-in-law. Duke of Turin. An Arian.

636 - 652

Rotharis / Rothari

Duke of Brescia.

643

One of the most active of Lombard kings since Alboin, Rotharis conquers the surviving Eastern Roman territories of Linguria (Liguria) and Inner Veneto, dealing another blow to the fading authority of the exarch at Ravenna. He also codifies the laws and customs of the Lombards in the Edictum Rothari.

652 - 653

Rodoald

Son. Very young, and was killed by the pro-Catholic party.

652 - 661

Aribert I / Aripert I

Son of Gundoald, duke of Asti.

661

The death of Aribert sees the kingdom divided in two, with one half going to Bertharit and the other to Godepert. The former has his capital at Milan while the latter is based at Pavia. The move is disastrous in terms of maintaining the security of the kingdom.

661

Godepert

Son. Ruled from Pavia. Assassinated.

661 - 662

Bertharit / Perctarit

Brother. Ruled from Milan. Usurped by Grimoald and fled.

661 - 662

Not content with holding half of the kingdom, Godepert almost immediately starts a war against his brother in order that he might gain the rest. He invites Duke Grimoald of Benevento to assist him, but the duke instead assassinates him and takes control of his territory. With a year he has forced Bertharit to flee the kingdom and is now king of a once-more united Lombard throne.

662 - 671

Grimoald / Grimoaldo

Duke of Benevento (647-662).

c.665

In return for helping Grimoald to usurp the kingdom, Count Transamund of Capua is granted the duchy of Spoleto. Upon gaining the throne, Grimoald also promotes his son, Romoaldo, to the position of duke of Benevento in his stead.

c.666

Lupus

Usurper. Duke of Friuli (c.660-c.666).

c.666

Grimoald faces perhaps the biggest threat to his kingship while he is fighting the Eastern Romans in the Mezzogiorno. Having left Duke Lupus of Friuli as his regent in the north, the duke now revolts, usurping Grimoald's authority. Grimoald is forces to return, and Lupus is thoroughly defeated and his duchy devastated by cooperative attacks by the Avars. Grimoald then hunts down Lupus' son, Arnefrit, and his Slav allies, and defeats them in battle at Nimis. Arnefrit dies during the battle and Grimoald gifts the duchy of Friuli to Wechthari, an inveterate enemy of the Slavs.

671

Garibald

Son. Ruled for three months. Deposed.

671

Bertharit returns from exile, where he has been sheltering with the Franks, in order to regain his kingdom now that Grimoald is dead. The young Garibald offers little resistance in the face of the popular acclaim for the returning king.

671 - 688

Bertharit / Perctarit

Restored from exile in Benevento. Assassinated.

688 - 689

Alahis (Alagis), duke of Trent, rebels for a second time - the first time had been against against Bertharit, who had pardoned and released the captured duke. Now, upon the death of Bertharit, Alahis rebels against his son, Cunibert, forcing the would-be king into a castle on an island in the middle of Lake Como. The following year, Alahis has lost the support of the nobles for his dictatorial rule and Cunibert is able to rally an army with which he defeats and kills the usurper.

688 - 689

Alahis / Alagis

Duke of Trent & Brescia, rebel, and usurper. Killed in battle.

689 - 700

Cunibert / Cinincpert

Son of Bertharit.

700 - 701

Luitpert

Son. Deposed by Raginpert.

700 - 701

Ansprand

Regent. Duke of Asti.

701

Raginpert

Grand-uncle, and son of Godepert. Duke of Turin. Died.

 701

Luitpert

Restored by the regent. Murdered.

701

Despite Ansprand's attempts as regent to retain the throne for Luitpert, he and his men are defeated in battle by Aribert at Pavia. Luitpert is later strangled in his bath on the orders of Aribert II, while Ansprand is forced to retreat over the Alps.

701 - 711

Aribert II / Aripert II

Son of Raginpert. Duke of Turin. Drowned while fleeing to Gaul.

c.705

Gisulf of Benevento marches on the cities of Arce, Arpino, and Sora, and after taking them ventures as far as Horrea, plundering and burning along the way. With the Campania region in southern Italy lying devastated behind him, and his forces encamped near Rome, he is persuaded through the receipt of gifts by Pope John VI to withdraw in peace.

711

Ansprand returns with a large Bavarian army and the brutal Aribert is defeated at Pavia. He flees to his capital and then attempts to enter Gaul along with his treasures. He drowns in the River Ticino.

711 - 712

Ansprand

Former regent. Ruled for three months before dying.

712 - 744

Liutprand

Son.

724

In documents that are disputed in terms of their authenticity, Liutprand cedes various properties in Lugano to the Church of Saint Carpophorus in Como.

726 - 728

Shortly after capturing Corsica, Liutprand takes control of the exarchate of Ravenna and of Rome. Byzantine imperial authority is temporarily unrecognised in Italy, marking a break in Constantinople's control over Rome.

732

Entering Benevento, Liutprand removes both Duke Andelais and the usurped infant, Gisulf II, from the throne and its succession. Instead he places his own nominee, Gregory, on the ducal seat.

738 - 740

Transamund of Spoleto rebels against Liutprand and forms an alliance with Pope Gregory III. The pope provides him with shelter while a substitute duke holds power in Spoleto in 739. Transamund regains his duchy, before being captured by Liutprand and sent forcibly to a monastery. The links forged by Liutprand in this period effectively bind Spoleto closer to the Lombard kingdom, with three subsequent dukes of Spoleto also ruling the Lombards at different points in their careers.

742

Liutprand deals with Godescalco, the unapproved duke of Benevento. The duke is already preparing to flee by ship when Liutprand enters Benevento, but the people rise up and slay Godescalco, apparently remaining faithful to their former duke, Rimoaldo II, and his familial succession.

744

Hildeprand 'the Useless'

Grandson or nephew. Deposed due to incompetence. Soon died.

744 - 749

Ratchis / Rachis of Friuli

Duke of Spoleto (756-757). Abdicated.

749 - 756

Aistulf of Friuli

Brother. Duke of Spoleto (751-756).

756

Having abdicated the throne after his misconceived siege of Perugia, Ratchis attempts to reclaim it following the death of Aistulf. He is defeated by Daufer and retires to a cloister.

756 - 774

Daufer / Desiderius of Brescia

Duke of Spoleto (758-759). Imprisoned.

751 - 756

The Lombards subdue Ravenna, ending the exarchate, and attack Rome in 755, which is now reduced to her ancient territory from Viterbo to Terracina, and from Narni to the mouth of the Tiber. The city is delivered by Pepin III, king of the Franks and the Lombards are subdued the following year (756) The ex-Byzantine exarchate is handed to Rome as the Papal States and northern Italy becomes part of the Frankish empire.

Daufer, or Desiderius, achieved the final conquest of Ravenna only to lose the entire Lombard kingdom to the Carolingian Franks

758

Arechi II becomes duke of Benevento. His marriage to Adelperga is notable as she is the daughter of Daufer. This makes any children by her direct descendants of the Lombardic kings, conferring an air of authority upon them and ensuring the line endures.

774 - 781

Daufer invades the papal territories, and Pope Adrian is forced to call upon the Frankish King Charlemagne for support and aid. Charlemagne enters Italy (and Corsica) and breaks the Lombards, taking the title of 'king of the Lombards' for himself. Daufer is imprisoned and his son, Adelchis, is forced to flee the country. Rome gains part of the Lombard duchy of Benevento out of the conquest while the rest signals its independence as a continuation of the Lombard kingdom.

In 781, Pepin, son of Charlemagne, is given command of the Italian portion of the Frankish empire, which includes the former Lombard territories. He also gains the iron crown of the rex Langobardum (king of the Lombards), and it remains in use by the Frankish kings of Italy.