European Kingdoms

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 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. They occupied territory that had been home to various Celtic tribes since the sixth century BC, such as the Cenomani and Insubres. 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.

(Information by Peter Kessler, with additional information from the Historia Francorum, Gregory of Tours, from the Chronicle of Fredegar / Latin Chronicle (author unknown but the work has been attributed to Fredegar since the sixteenth century thanks to his name being written in the margin), and from External Link: History of the Langobards, Paul the Deacon (Full Text).)

568 - 573

Langobard 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 Langobard or 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, the tribal Langobard leader who united his people and forged a kingdom in northern Italy, 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

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

573

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

573 - 575

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

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

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

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

Son. Went insane and was deposed by the nobles.

615 - 625

Mother and regent, and widow of Autharis and Agilulf.

625 - 636

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

631

Dagobert I of Austrasia has gained Neustria (in 629), and the Frankish kingdom overall (in 630). Around this year, Duke Chrodebert of Alemannia participates in Dagobert's assault on the realm of the Carinthian Slavs to the east. The Alemannic host (exercitus Alamannorum, in the words of the Chronicle of Fredegar) is one of three columns formed by the Austrasian army (exercitus regnum universum Austrasiorum). While the Alemanni win a battle at an unknown location and their Lombard allies are successful against the Slavs in the Julian Alps, the main Austrasian Frankish army under Dagobert is defeated at the Battle of Wogastisburg.

The modern southern Austrian region of Carinthia marked the upper edge of the Adriatic hinterland, and the southern borders of Samo's seventh century Slav kingdom, one of the earliest Slav states to appear

636 - 652

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

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

652 - 661

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

Son. Ruled from Pavia. Assassinated.

661 - 662

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

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.664/666

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

c.666

Around AD 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 (quite possibly those of Khorushka), and defeats them in battle at Nimis. Arnefrit dies during the battle and Grimoald gifts the duchy of Friuli to Wechthari. The new duke is an inveterate enemy of the Slavs, and almost immediately defeats a Slav raid from Khorushka (as outlined by Paul the Deacon and sometimes attributed to the year 664).

671

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

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.

By the eighth century, Roman Beneventum had become early medieval Benevento, which was acclaimed as the new Pavia following the fall of the Lombard kingdom

688 - 689

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

689 - 700

Son of Bertharit.

700 - 701

Son. Deposed by Raginpert.

700 - 701

Regent. Duke of Asti.

701

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

 701

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

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

Former regent. Ruled for three months before dying.

712 - 744

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.

Two sides of a coin issued during the reign of Liutprand, the conqueror both of the exarchate of Ravenna and of Rome, temporarily ending Byzantine authority in Italy

726 - 728

Shortly after capturing Corsica, Liutprand takes control of the exarchate of Ravenna and of Rome. Eastern Roman 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

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

744 - 749

Duke of Spoleto (756-757). Abdicated.

749 - 756

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

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-Eastern Roman 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.