List of kings of the Lombards

The Iron Crown.

The Kings of the Lombards or reges Langobardorum (singular rex Langobardorum) were the monarchs of the Lombard people from the early 6th century until the Lombardic identity became lost in the 9th and 10th centuries. After 568, the Lombard kings sometimes styled themselves Kings of Italy (rex totius Italiae). After 774, they were not Lombards, but Franks. The Iron Crown of Lombardy (Corona Ferrea) was used for the coronation of the Lombard kings and the kings of Italy thereafter for centuries.

The primary sources for the Lombard kings before the Frankish conquest are the anonymous 7th-century Origo Gentis Langobardorum and the 8th-century Historia Langobardorum of Paul the Deacon. The earliest kings (the pre-Lethings) listed in the Origo are almost certainly legendary. They purportedly reigned during the Migration Period. The first ruler attested independently of Lombard tradition is Tato.

Early rulers

Legendary rulers

• Shava
• Ybor and Agio, brothers, together with their mother Gambara, who led the emigration from Scandinavia
• Agilmund, son of Agio
• Laiamicho (Lamissio)
• Ortnit

Lething Dynasty

The Lethings were an early dynasty from the time of Lethuc. The last ruling descendant of Lethuc was Walthari, whose son was in turn displaced by Audoin of the family of the Gausi.

• Lethuc (fl. c. 400), ruled for some 40 years.
• Aldihoc (mid-5th century)
• Godehoc (480s), led the Lombards into modern-day Austria
• Claffo (fl. c. 500)
• Tato (early 6th century, died perhaps 510), his son Ildichus died in exile
• Wacho (510–539), son of Unichus
• Waltari (539–546), son of Wacho

Gausian Dynasty

• Audoin (546–565), led the Lombards into Pannonia

Kings in Italy

Gausian Dynasty

• Alboin (565 - 572)

Unnamed dynasty

• Cleph (572 - 574)

Rule of the Dukes (Ten year interregnum)

• Authari (584 - 590), son of previous
• Agilulf (591 - c.616), cousin of previous

Bavarian Dynasty

• Adaloald (c.616 - c.626)

Non-dynastic king

• Arioald (c.626 - 636)

Harodingians

• Rothari (636 - 652)
• Rodoald (652 - 653)

Bavarian Dynasty, First Restoration

• Aripert I (653 - 661)
• Perctarit and Godepert (661 - 662)

Beneventan Dynasty

• Grimuald (662 - 671)
• Garibald (671)

Bavarian Dynasty, Second Restoration

• Perctarit (671 - 688) (restored from exile)
• Alahis (688 - 689), rebel
• Cunincpert (688 - 700)
• Liutpert (700 - 701)
• Raginpert (701)
• Aripert II (701 - 712)

Non-dynastic kings

• Ansprand (712)
• Liutprand (712 - 744)
• Hildeprand (744)
• Ratchis (744 - 749)
• Aistulf (749 - 756)
• Desiderius (756 - 774)

Carolingian Dynasty

Charlemagne conquered the Lombards in 774 at the invitation of Pope Adrian I.

• Charlemagne (774-781) in personal union, passed kingship to third son, Pippin
• Pepin (781-810) king under authority of Charlemagne
• Bernard (810-818)
• Lothair I (818-839)
• Louis II (839–875)

The title rex Langobardorum, synonymous with rex Italiae, lasted well into the High Middle Ages,^[1] but subsequent holders are found at King of Italy.

Notes

1. "German Tribes org Lombard Kings". GermanTribes.org. Archived from the original on 2010-07-18. Retrieved 2010-07-18.

Sources

• Oman, Charles. The Dark Ages 476-918. London, 1914.